B1 · Intermédiaire Chapitre 20

L’art du timing : exprime-toi avec précision !

4 Règles totales
44 exemples
6 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the timing of your life by using four essential adverbs with the present perfect tense.

  • Signal that an action happened very recently.
  • Express that something happened earlier than expected.
  • Ask if something has occurred or show it is still pending.
Timing is everything: tell the world exactly where you stand.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Tu sais déjà parler du passé, mais pour vraiment sonner comme un « native », il faut savoir jongler avec les nuances du temps. Ce chapitre va transformer tes phrases basiques en expressions ultra-précises grâce au Present Perfect et ses meilleurs alliés : just, already, yet et still. Imagine la scène : un ami te propose de voir un film que tu viens tout juste de terminer. Avec « I've just seen it », tu tapes dans le mille ! Ou alors, tu attends ce fameux colis qui n'est toujours pas arrivé... En utilisant « It still haven't arrived », tu exprimes parfaitement ton impatience ou ta surprise. Nous allons voir ensemble comment placer « already » au cœur de ta phrase pour un style fluide, et pourquoi « yet » préfère rester à la fin pour souligner ce que tu attends encore. À la fin de ce chapitre, tu sauras exprimer l'achèvement, le retard ou l'attente avec une confiance totale. C'est l'étape indispensable pour passer d'un anglais scolaire à une langue vivante, naturelle et nuancée. Prêt à peaufiner ton timing ?

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to distinguish between 'just', 'already', and 'yet' in conversation.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to correctly place 'already' between the auxiliary and the main verb.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to express frustration or surprise about delays using 'still haven't'.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Mastering how to talk about events in relation to the present moment is a crucial step in sounding more natural and confident in English. For B1 English grammar learners like you, understanding adverbs like just, already, yet, and still haven't is key to perfecting your timing with adverbs. These little words are incredibly powerful because they allow you to precisely express when an action happened, whether it’s a surprise, or if it's something you’re still waiting for.
This chapter will guide you through connecting past actions to the present, adding nuance to your sentences, and expressing completion, surprise, or delay. From telling someone you have just finished a task, to confirming if a friend has arrived yet, or even expressing impatience that something still hasn't happened, these adverbs will upgrade your communication skills. By the end, you'll feel much more comfortable and accurate in your everyday English conversations, ensuring your message is understood with the right temporal context.

How This Grammar Works

These adverbs primarily work with the Present Perfect tense, which connects a past action or state to the present moment. Think of them as tools to fine-tune that connection, adding specific information about the timing.
First, let’s look at just, already, and yet.
* Just indicates that an action happened a very short time ago, emphasizing its recency. It usually goes between have/has and the past participle.
*
I have just seen him.
(Meaning: I saw him a moment ago.)
* Already tells us an action happened earlier than expected or before a specific point in time. It can go between have/has and the past participle (mid-position) or at the end of the sentence.
*
They have already left.
(Meaning: They left sooner than we thought, or before now.)
* Yet is used in negative sentences and questions to talk about something expected to happen but hasn't, or to ask if it has. It always goes at the end of the sentence.
* "She hasn't arrived yet." (Meaning: We expect her, but she's not here.)
*
Have you eaten lunch yet?
(Meaning: Are you expecting to eat, or have you done it?)
The mid-position for already (between the auxiliary have/has and the main verb's past participle) often emphasizes the *surprise* or *earliness* of the completion. For instance,
I have already finished the report!
might imply,
Wow, that was fast!
Finally, still haven't is a powerful phrase used to express that an expected action has *not* happened up to the present moment, often with a feeling of surprise, impatience, or frustration. It combines still (indicating continuation of a state) with the negative Present Perfect.
* "I still haven't received my package." (Meaning: I expected it, and I'm a bit surprised/impatient that it hasn't arrived.)
* "He still hasn't called me back." (Meaning: I'm waiting for his call, and it's taking longer than expected.)
These adverbs and phrases are essential for accurately reflecting the temporal nuances of your thoughts in English.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Using 'just' with Simple Past for recent actions:
* ✗ I just ate my lunch 5 minutes ago.
* ✓ I have just eaten my lunch. (For very recent actions connected to now, use Present Perfect.)
* ✓ I ate my lunch 5 minutes ago. (If you specify a past time, use Simple Past.)
* *Explanation:* Just with the Present Perfect emphasizes the action's immediate connection to the present moment. If you specify *when* in the past, the Simple Past is more appropriate without just.
  1. 1✗ Incorrect placement of 'yet':
* ✗ Yet I haven't seen that movie.
* ✓ I haven't seen that movie yet.
* *Explanation:* In negative sentences and questions, yet almost always goes at the very end of the sentence.
  1. 1✗ Confusing 'already' and 'yet' in questions:
* ✗ Have you eaten dinner already? (When you are asking neutrally or expecting a no)
* ✓ Have you eaten dinner yet? (This is the standard, neutral way to ask if an expected action has happened.)
* ✓ Have you already eaten dinner? (This implies surprise, like,
Wow, you ate dinner early!
)
* *Explanation:* Use yet in neutral questions about expected events. Use already in questions if you're expressing surprise that something might have happened sooner than expected.

Real Conversations

A

A

Have you started packing for your trip yet?
B

B

Yes, I have just finished packing my clothes. I have already bought my travel insurance too!
A

A

Wow, your new computer arrived quickly!
B

B

"I know! I have already set it up and installed all my programs. I still haven't downloaded that new game you told me about, though."
A

A

Is John coming to the meeting?
B

B

"He still hasn't confirmed. I have already sent him three emails, but he hasn't replied yet."

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use just with the Simple Past?

Generally, for actions directly connected to the present, use the Present Perfect with just. For example,

I have just eaten.
If you specify a past time, use Simple Past:
I ate an hour ago.

Q

Is there a difference between "I haven't done it yet and I still haven't done it"?

Yes! "I haven't done it yet

is a neutral statement of non-completion.
I still haven't done it" adds a nuance of surprise, impatience, or frustration that it's taking longer than expected.

Q

Can already go at the end of a sentence?

Yes, placing already at the end, like "I've sent the email already,

is grammatically correct and common, especially in informal speech or to add emphasis. However, the mid-position (
I have already sent the email") is often considered more standard and natural.

Q

Why do we use these adverbs with the Present Perfect?

They help link a past action to the present moment, giving specific details about its timing and impact on the present. Just shows recent completion, already shows completion before expected, yet shows expectation for an action that hasn't happened, and still haven't emphasizes ongoing non-completion, often with a sense of impatience. They are all about the *timing* relative to *now*.

Cultural Context

These adverbs – just, already, yet, and still haven't – are incredibly common in everyday English conversations across all regions. They are not formal or informal exclusively; rather, they are integral to expressing nuances of time. While American English sometimes uses the Simple Past with adverbs like just (e.g., I just ate), British English overwhelmingly prefers the Present Perfect in such contexts.
For B1 learners, sticking to the Present Perfect is generally the safest and most broadly accepted approach for these adverbs to ensure your meaning about current relevance is clear.

Exemples clés (8)

1

I've just seen your TikTok!

Je viens de voir ton TikTok !

Present Perfect : Just, Already, Yet (Vient de, Déjà, Encore)
2

We've already ordered the pizza.

On a déjà commandé la pizza.

Present Perfect : Just, Already, Yet (Vient de, Déjà, Encore)
3

I `have already finished` my assignment, so I'm free tonight!

J'ai déjà terminé mon devoir, alors je suis libre ce soir !

Présent Parfait : 'Already' en Position Médiane
4

She `has already submitted` her application, even though the deadline is next week.

Elle a déjà envoyé sa candidature, même si la date limite est la semaine prochaine.

Présent Parfait : 'Already' en Position Médiane
5

Have you seen the new superhero movie yet?

As-tu déjà vu le nouveau film de super-héros ?

Present Perfect: Utiliser 'yet' à la fin
6

I haven't finished my coffee yet, so I'm not leaving.

Je n'ai pas encore fini mon café, donc je ne pars pas.

Present Perfect: Utiliser 'yet' à la fin
7

I've been waiting for ages! My coffee still hasn't cooled down.

J'attends depuis des lustres ! Mon café n'a toujours pas refroidi.

Présent Parfait : Toujours pas (Surprise & Retard)
8

He promised to text me back, but he still hasn't sent anything.

Il a promis de me répondre, mais il n'a toujours rien envoyé.

Présent Parfait : Toujours pas (Surprise & Retard)

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

Le lien avec le 'V3'

Tu les utilises toujours avec le participe passé (la forme en 'V3', comme 'gone', 'seen', 'done'), jamais avec la forme de base ou le passé simple. Par exemple :
I have just arrived.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect : Just, Already, Yet (Vient de, Déjà, Encore)
💡

Le placement est la clé !

Toujours te rappeler la règle du 'sandwich' : have/has + already + past participle. Cette position médiane sonne plus naturelle aux oreilles des natifs. "Always remember the 'sandwich' rule: have/has + already + past participle. This mid-position placement sounds most natural and fluent to native speakers."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Présent Parfait : 'Already' en Position Médiane
💡

Toujours à la Fin avec 'Yet'

Retiens bien ça : 'yet', c'est comme le mot de la fin d'une phrase quand tu l'utilises avec le present perfect. Il se place presque toujours confortablement tout à la fin dans les questions et les phrases négatives. Ne le laisse pas se promener au milieu !
Have you seen the movie yet?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Utiliser 'yet' à la fin
💡

Souligne l'attente

Quand tu es surpris ou un peu agacé que quelque chose ne soit pas arrivé, c'est le moment d'utiliser "still haven't". C'est plus fort que juste "haven't... yet" car ça ajoute une touche d'émotion, comme si tu pensais : 'Ça aurait dû être fait !' "I still haven't received my package!"
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Présent Parfait : Toujours pas (Surprise & Retard)

Vocabulaire clé (6)

just a very short time ago already sooner than expected yet until now still continuing to happen (showing delay) finish to complete a task decide to make a choice

Real-World Preview

plane

Checking in at the Airport

Review Summary

  • have/has + just + past participle
  • have/has + already + past participle
  • have/has + not + past participle ... yet?
  • subject + still + haven't/hasn't + past participle

Erreurs courantes

'Yet' is used in negative sentences or questions, and it almost always comes at the end of the sentence.

Wrong: I have finished yet my work.
Correct: I haven't finished my work yet.

In standard British and American English, 'already' usually goes between 'have' and the past participle.

Wrong: I already have seen that movie.
Correct: I have already seen that movie.

'Still' goes before the auxiliary 'haven't/hasn't' in negative sentences to emphasize the delay.

Wrong: I haven't still called him.
Correct: I still haven't called him.

Next Steps

You've made incredible progress today! Mastering these small adverbs is what separates intermediate learners from advanced speakers. Keep practicing and you'll be sounding like a pro in no time.

Write a 'To-Do' list and mark what you have already done and what you haven't done yet.

Continue to: Flash Info : Maîtrise les actus et les changements récents

Pratique rapide (9)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

They haven't still given us the project details.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They still haven't given us the project details.
L'adverbe still doit être placé avant l'auxiliaire "haven't/hasn't" dans cette construction.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Présent Parfait : Toujours pas (Surprise & Retard)

Choisis la forme correcte pour compléter la phrase.

My sister ___ already ___ for her trip.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: has / packed
Pour 'my sister' (elle), nous utilisons 'has'. Le participe passé de 'pack' est 'packed'. La structure correcte est 'has already packed'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Présent Parfait : 'Already' en Position Médiane

Complète la phrase avec 'just', 'already' ou 'yet'.

I'm not hungry. I've ___ eaten a big burger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: just
On utilise 'just' pour montrer que l'action s'est passée très récemment. Tu viens juste de manger, donc tu n'as pas faim !

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect : Just, Already, Yet (Vient de, Déjà, Encore)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur

Find and fix the mistake:

He has yet called me.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He hasn't called me yet.
'Yet' ne peut pas être au milieu d'une phrase affirmative ; il doit être à la fin d'une phrase négative. Il faut dire 'Il ne m'a pas encore appelé'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect : Just, Already, Yet (Vient de, Déjà, Encore)

Quelle phrase utilise correctement 'yet' ?

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They haven't finished yet.
Dans les phrases négatives, 'yet' se place toujours à la fin de la phrase ou de la proposition. Il est également incorrect d'utiliser 'yet' dans une phrase positive comme 'They have finished yet'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Utiliser 'yet' à la fin

Choisis la forme correcte pour exprimer la surprise ou le retard.

My train was supposed to leave an hour ago, but it ___ left yet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: still hasn't
Pour exprimer la surprise ou le retard concernant une action qui n'est pas arrivée jusqu'à maintenant, "still hasn't
est le bon choix.
Didn't
fait référence à un événement passé spécifique, et
already hasn't" est grammaticalement incorrect ici.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Présent Parfait : Toujours pas (Surprise & Retard)

Choisis l'auxiliaire correct pour compléter la phrase.

He ___ arrived at the party yet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hasn't
Puisque le sujet est 'He' (troisième personne du singulier), l'auxiliaire doit être 'hasn't' pour une phrase négative au present perfect avec 'yet'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Utiliser 'yet' à la fin

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I haven't seen that movie yet.
'Yet' doit être à la fin des phrases négatives ou interrogatives. C'est sa place !

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect : Just, Already, Yet (Vient de, Déjà, Encore)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

They already have finished their homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They have already finished their homework.
L'adverbe 'already' doit être placé entre l'auxiliaire 'have' et le participe passé du verbe principal 'finished'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Présent Parfait : 'Already' en Position Médiane

Score: /9

Questions fréquentes (6)

Techniquement oui, mais c'est très rare et ça sonne un peu bizarre. En général, on préfère 'yet' ou 'still' pour les négations. Par exemple, 'I haven't just arrived' est très spécifique, ça dirait 'Je ne viens pas juste d'arriver', comme si tu étais là depuis longtemps.
Il va presque toujours tout à la fin de la question. C'est sa place préférée ! Par exemple : 'Have you seen the new episode yet?' (As-tu déjà vu le nouvel épisode ?)
Ça te dit qu'une action a déjà été accomplie avant le moment présent ou plus tôt que prévu. Ça ajoute une couche subtile de sens sur le timing et l'achèvement.
It tells you that an action has already been completed before the current moment or sooner than expected. It adds a subtle layer of meaning about timing and completion.
La structure est simple : Sujet + have/has + already + Participe Passé. Par exemple, 'I have already eaten lunch' ou 'She has already left for work'.
R : Il indique qu'une action ou un événement attendu ne s'est pas produit jusqu'à présent, ou il demande si une telle action s'est produite. Il signale une anticipation que quelque chose se produise, comme : "I haven't eaten lunch yet."
R : En anglais B1, 'yet' se place presque toujours à la fin d'une question ou d'une phrase négative. Pense-y comme le dernier mot pour savoir si quelque chose s'est produit, par exemple :
Have you seen it yet?
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