subject + have/has + just/already + past participleUse just and already after have or has in affirmative Present Perfect sentences.
Already, Yet, Just, Still
A2Use just for a moment ago, already for before now, yet in negatives and questions, and still when an expected change has not happened.
What you'll learn
- Use just for actions that happened a moment ago.
- Use already for completed actions before now.
- Use yet in negatives and questions about expected actions.
- Use still when the old situation continues now.
- Put each time word in its usual sentence position.
Structure
subject + have/has + not + past participle + yetUse yet at the end of a negative sentence when something is expected but not true now.
Have/Has + subject + past participle + yet + ?Use yet at the end of yes/no questions to ask if the expected action is complete now.
subject + still + have/has + not + past participleUse still before the negative Present Perfect form to show the unchanged situation continues.
Build a sentence
Subject
Time word
Shehasalreadyarrived
She has already arrived.
Already shows the action is complete now.
When to use
Very recent news
Use just when the action finished a moment ago. Maria has just arrived. We have just heard the result.
Done before now
Use already when something is complete now, often sooner than expected. Tom has already booked the tickets.
Expected by now
Use yet when you are waiting for something to happen by this time. Have you called Anna yet? We haven't started yet.
No change yet
Use still when the old situation continues and that continuation matters. Lisa still hasn't answered my message.
Markers
alreadyyetjuststillHave you ... yet?has justhave alreadystill haven't
Common mistakes
Wrong
I have finished yet.
Correct
I have already finished.
In a basic affirmative sentence about completed action, use already, not yet.
Wrong
She has finished just her lunch.
Correct
She has just finished her lunch.
Just normally goes after have or has, before the past participle.
Wrong
Have you yet seen the email?
Correct
Have you seen the email yet?
Yet usually comes at the end of the question, not before the main verb.
Wrong
Lisa hasn't replied still.
Correct
Lisa still hasn't replied.
Still goes before the negative verb form when the unchanged situation continues.
Wrong
Have you finished already?
Correct
Have you finished yet?
To ask if something expected is complete now, use yet. Already changes the meaning and sounds like surprise.
Common misconceptions
❝ Yet works the same way in affirmative, negative, and question sentences. ❞
In common Present Perfect patterns, yet is mainly used in negatives and questions. Affirmative statements usually use already instead.
❝ Still and yet mean the same thing, so I can swap them freely. ❞
Yet focuses on expected completion by now. Still focuses on the continuing old situation and often adds surprise, impatience, or emphasis.
Skills in this rule (6)
USE_JUST_FOR_RECENT_ACTIONSw5Use just for an action that happened a very short time ago
Use just with the Present Perfect when the action is fresh and close to now. It normally goes after have or has.
USE_ALREADY_FOR_EARLIER_THAN_EXPECTEDw5Use already when something happened before now or sooner than expected
Use already in positive Present Perfect sentences to show the action is complete before this moment, often earlier than expected. It usually goes after have or has.
USE_YET_IN_NEGATIVES_AND_QUESTIONSw5Use yet in negatives and questions
Use yet to talk about something expected by now but not true now, or to ask if it is true now. It usually goes at the end of the sentence.
USE_STILL_FOR_UNFINISHED_EXPECTED_CHANGEw4Use still when a situation has not changed
Use still when you expected a change, but the old situation continues now. In negative Present Perfect sentences, still goes before the negative form.
PUT_THE_ADVERB_IN_THE_RIGHT_PLACEw5Put already, just, yet, and still in the right place
Already and just normally go after have/has. Yet usually goes at the end. Still goes before the negative form in sentences like still haven't finished.
CHOOSE_THE_RIGHT_TIME_WORDw5Choose the time word that matches the meaning
Pick just for very recent actions, already for completed actions before now, yet for expected actions in negatives and questions, and still for unchanged situations.