Welcome back to the present! I would apologise for posting this one so late today, but of course we can all just hop back to lunchtime and enjoy it again then, and look forward to reading it for the first time now. Or something. Err...
Faulty Usage
1) …with additions to already existing requirements added daily.
2) The already existing rooms were renovated in Q1 2009.
1) …with additions to already existing requirements added daily.
2) The already existing rooms were renovated in Q1 2009.
Good Usage
1) …with additions to existing requirements added daily.
2) The pre-existing rooms were renovated in Q1 2009.
1) …with additions to existing requirements added daily.
2) The pre-existing rooms were renovated in Q1 2009.
Alternative Usage
3) When the new developers arrived, they tore out the existing fittings and replaced them with their own. 3) When the new developers arrived, they tore out the extant fittings and replaced them with their own.
3) When the new developers arrived, they tore out the existing fittings and replaced them with their own. 3) When the new developers arrived, they tore out the extant fittings and replaced them with their own.
OED Definition
existing (adj) in existence or operation at the current time.
already (adv) 1- before the time in question (I knew that already).
2- as early or as soon as this (is back already). [from *all, *ready]
extant (adj) still existing. [Latin ex(s)to exist]
existing (adj) in existence or operation at the current time.
already (adv) 1- before the time in question (I knew that already).
2- as early or as soon as this (is back already). [from *all, *ready]
extant (adj) still existing. [Latin ex(s)to exist]
What’s The Problem?
existing is sometimes erroneously preceded by already to indicate that something has been around for a while, when pre- is the correct modifier (2). Sometimes no prefix is necessary (1), as existing has the built-in connotation of already or pre anyway. A good rule of thumb for these situations is that if we're talking about a currently ongoing situation, i.e. a new work order or contract, we can probably do without any modifier (1).
existing is sometimes erroneously preceded by already to indicate that something has been around for a while, when pre- is the correct modifier (2). Sometimes no prefix is necessary (1), as existing has the built-in connotation of already or pre anyway. A good rule of thumb for these situations is that if we're talking about a currently ongoing situation, i.e. a new work order or contract, we can probably do without any modifier (1).
If we’re talking about old things in a new situation, for example (3), which is from a description of a hotel renovation that occurred six months before the text was written – then extant is a really top-quality word to use.
Bottom line: already existing is a bad, bad man with whom innocent translators should not mix. You have been warned! ;)
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