Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use these three words to show exactly when an action happened relative to now.
- Use 'just' for very recent actions: 'I have just finished.'
- Use 'already' for actions happening sooner than expected: 'She has already left.'
- Use 'yet' for expected actions in negatives/questions: 'Have you eaten yet?'
Overview
I've just walked in)«라고 답장이 온 적 있나요? 아니면 배달 앱을 확인하다가 »음식이 이미 픽업되었습니다(Your food has already been picked up)"라는 문구를 본 적은요? 이 특정 영어 문법은 과거와 현재 사이의 다리 역할을 해요.already, yet, 그리고 just를 더하면 그 행동에 특정한 '분위기'나 타이밍을 불어넣을 수 있어요. 이 세 단어는 인스타그램 사진의 필터와 같아요.Just는 그 일이 불과 몇 초 전이나 몇 분 전에 일어났다는 걸 알려줘요. 과거의 '따끈따끈한 최신 버전'이라고 할 수 있죠. Already는 어떤 일이 우리가 예상했던 것보다 더 빨리 일어났음을 암시해요. 과제를 사흘이나 일찍 끝내는 우등생들을 위한 단어랄까요? Yet은 우리가 아직 기다리고 있는 일들을 위한 단어예요. '인내심'의 단어라고 봐도 좋겠네요. 아직 커피를 다 마시지 못했다면(haven't finished your coffee yet), 여러분은 여전히 그 과정의 중간에 있는 거예요.나 그 결말 벌써(already) 봤어라고 말한다면, 즉시 대화를 멈춰야 한다는 걸 알게 될 테니까요.How This Grammar Works
already, yet, just를 섞으면 그 결과의 '타이밍'에 집중하게 돼요.Just는 아주 최근의 사건에 사용돼요. 카페에 있다고 상상해 보세요. 친구를 만났을 때 "나 방금 막 주문했어(I've just ordered)"라고 말한다면, 바리스타가 아마 지금 막 음료를 만들고 있을 거예요. 너무 생생해서 과거가 거의 현재에 닿아 있는 느낌이죠.Already는 놀라움이나 효율성에 관한 거예요. 룸메이트에게 "나 벌써 주방 청소 다 했어(I've already cleaned the kitchen)"라고 말한다면, 약간 자랑하는 기분이 들 수도 있어요. 상대방이 기대했던 것보다 더 빨리 해냈다는 뜻이니까요. 여러분이 상황을 아주 잘 통제하고 있다는 걸 보여주죠. 보통 긍정문에 자주 쓰여요.Yet은 세 단어 중 가장 독특해요. 미래에 어떤 일이 일어날 것이라고 기대할 때 사용하거든요. 거의 독특하게 부정문과 의문문에만 쓰여요. 만약 게임 아직(yet) 안 끝냈어?라고 묻는다면, 언젠가는 그 게임을 끝낼 것이라고 가정하고 묻는 거예요. 단지 진행 상태를 확인하는 거죠. 비디오의 로딩 바 같은 거예요. 아직(yet) 100%에 도달하지는 않았지만, 곧 그렇게 될 거라는 의미죠.
Formation Pattern
have 또는 has, 그리고 past participle(동사의 V3 형태)이 필요해요.
Just와 Already의 위치: 이 두 친구는 문장의 '가운데'에 살아요. 조동사와 본동사 사이에 자리를 잡죠.
have/has + just/already + past participle.
I have just seen him. (나 방금 그를 봤어.)
Yet의 위치: 이 친구는 조금 외로운 걸 좋아해요. 보통 문장의 맨 끝에 위치하거든요.
haven't/hasn't + past participle + yet.
Have/Has + 주어 + past participle + yet?
yet." (그들은 아직 전화 안 했어.)
Conjugation Table
| 형태 | 예시 | 의미 |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
Just와 함께 쓰는 긍정문 |
I've just eaten |
방금 막 먹었어요 (최근에) |
Already와 함께 쓰는 긍정문 |
She's already left |
그녀는 벌써 떠났어요 (생각보다 빨리) |
Yet과 함께 쓰는 부정문 |
We haven't started yet |
아직 시작 안 했어요 (곧 할 예정) |
Yet과 함께 쓰는 의문문 |
Have you finished yet? |
벌써 다 끝냈나요? (예상대로 끝냈는지 확인) |
When To Use It
just를 사용해보세요. 뉴스 앵커가 소식을 전하는 상황을 생각해보면 쉬워요. 대통령이 방금(just) 도착했습니다. 혹은 운동을 막 끝내서 얼굴이 여전히 붉을 때도 쓸 수 있죠. 그 즉각적인 느낌을 표현할 때 좋아요.already를 쓰세요. 업무 상황에서 쓰기 딱 좋죠. 부장님, 그 이메일 벌써(already) 보냈습니다. 혹은 짜증을 표현할 수도 있어요. 벌써(already) 세 번이나 말했잖아! 상대방보다 여러분의 타임라인이 더 빨리 움직이고 있을 때 사용하면 돼요.yet을 쓰세요. 여행할 때 쓰기 완벽하죠. 아직(yet) 멀었어요?는 아이들이 입에 달고 사는 클래식한 문구잖아요. 할 일 목록에 있지만 아직 체크하지 못한 모든 일에 쓸 수 있어요. 마블 신작 영화를 아직(yet) 못 봤다면, 여전히 볼 계획이 있다는 뜻이죠.Politeness Levels
영어에서 이 표현들은 격식에 따라 크게 변하지 않지만, *위치*는 바뀔 수 있어요.
- Casual (비격식)
You finished yet? (문자 메시지에서는 'have'를 생략하는 경우가 많아요.)
- Neutral (일반적)
Have you finished yet? (친구들이나 직장 동료들에게 쓰는 표준적인 방식이에요.)
- Formal (격식)
Has the report been completed as of yet? (as of를 붙이면 매우 전문적이고 약간 딱딱하게 들려요.)
Common Mistakes
yet을 긍정문에 사용하는 거예요. I have finished yet이라고 말할 수는 없어요. 이건 존재하지 않는 치트키를 쓰려는 것과 같아요. yet은 항상 부정문과 의문문에만 사용하세요.already의 위치예요. 강조를 위해 문장 끝에 둘 수는 있지만("I've finished already!«), 문장 맨 앞에 두면(»Already I have finished") 마치 요다(스타워즈 캐릭터)처럼 들려요. 안전하게 조동사와 본동사 사이에 두세요.I just saw him이라고 해도 괜찮지만, 영국 영어와 시험 영어에서는 "I've just seen him"이 정석이에요. 've'를 빼먹지 않도록 주의하세요.
Memory Trick
교통 신호등을 생각해보세요:
- 초록불 (Already): 예상보다 일찍 신호가 초록색으로 바뀌었어요. 출발! 이미 완료된 일이에요.
- 노란불 (Just): 신호가 방금(just) 바뀌었어요. 바로 지금 일어나고 있는 일이죠. 서두르세요!
- 빨간불 (Yet): 신호가 여전히 빨간색이에요. 기다리고 있죠. 아직(yet) 초록색으로 바뀌지 않았어요.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
과거 단순 시제와는 어떻게 다를까요? 과거 단순 시제는 이미 닫힌 책과 같아요.
나 12시에 점심 먹었어(I ate lunch at 12:00.) 이건 그냥 사실이죠. 반면 이 부사들과 함께 쓰는 현재 완료는 열린 대화예요. "나 방금 점심 먹었어(I've just eaten lunch.)« 이 말은 »그러니까 지금 배가 안 고파"라는 의미를 내포하고 있어요. 과거의 행동을 여러분의 현재 배 상태와 연결해주는 거죠.
현재 진행형(
나 먹고 있어, I am eating)과 비교해보면, just가 들어간 현재 완료는 그 행동이 *끝났다*는 걸 의미해요. 더 이상 씹고 있는 게 아니라 입을 닦고 있는 상황이죠.
Real Conversations
A
yet) 예매 안 했어?B
just) 했어! 지금 확인증 보고 있는 중이야.A
B
already) 다 정주행했거든. 진짜 재밌더라.Progressive Practice
행동의 '상태'를 파악하세요. 일찍 끝났나요, 최근에 끝났나요, 아니면 기다리는 중인가요?
부사를 선택하세요: already, just, 또는 yet.
핵심 구조를 만드세요: Have/Has + Past Participle.
부사를 올바른 위치(중간 또는 끝)에 넣으세요.
Quick FAQ
의문문에서 already를 쓸 수 있나요?
네! 놀라움을 나타낼 때 써요.
벌써(already) 끝냈어? 와, 진짜 빠르다!
just와 recently는 같은 뜻인가요?
거의 비슷하지만, just가 훨씬 더 즉각적이에요. Recently는 지난주를 뜻할 수도 있지만, just는 보통 몇 분 전을 뜻하거든요.
왜 미국 사람들은 "I've already done it« 대신 »I already did it"이라고 하나요?
미국 영어에서는 이런 상황에 과거 단순 시제를 자주 사용해요. 둘 다 뜻은 통하지만, B1 레벨 학습자라면 보통 현재 완료를 배우는 데 집중하게 될 거예요.
Placement of Adverbs in Present Perfect
| Adverb | Sentence Type | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Just
|
Affirmative
|
Between have/has and V3
|
I have just left.
|
|
Already
|
Affirmative
|
Between have/has and V3
|
She has already eaten.
|
|
Already
|
Question (Surprise)
|
End of sentence
|
Are you back already?
|
|
Yet
|
Negative
|
End of sentence
|
They haven't arrived yet.
|
|
Yet
|
Question
|
End of sentence
|
Has he called yet?
|
Common Contractions with Adverbs
| Full Form | Contraction | With Adverb |
|---|---|---|
|
I have just
|
I've just
|
I've just seen him.
|
|
He has already
|
He's already
|
He's already left.
|
|
We have not... yet
|
We haven't... yet
|
We haven't started yet.
|
|
It has not... yet
|
It hasn't... yet
|
It hasn't rained yet.
|
Meanings
These adverbs modify the Present Perfect to indicate the recency, timing, or expectation of an action connecting the past to the present.
Just: Very Recent Past
Indicates that an action happened a very short time ago.
“The taxi has just arrived outside.”
“I've just heard the news!”
Already: Sooner Than Expected
Indicates that something happened before the present time or sooner than someone thought it would.
“I've already done my homework.”
“Has the train already left?”
Yet: Expectation of Completion
Used in negative sentences and questions to talk about something that hasn't happened but is expected to happen soon.
“I haven't finished the report yet.”
“Has the mail arrived yet?”
Reference Table
| 부사 | 의미 | 문장 종류 | 위치 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Just
|
아주 최근에
|
긍정문
|
have/has와 동사 사이
|
|
Already
|
예상보다 빨리
|
긍정문 / 의문문
|
have/has와 동사 사이
|
|
Yet
|
지금까지 (예상됨)
|
부정문 / 의문문
|
문장 끝
|
|
Still
|
계속되고 있음 (예상보다 길게)
|
부정문 / 긍정문
|
have/has 앞
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Have you completed the assignment yet? (Work/School)
Have you finished your work yet? (Work/School)
Done yet? (Work/School)
You through with that yet? (Work/School)
현재완료 부사
즉각적인
- Just Very recently
놀라움
- Already Sooner than expected
기대
- Yet Waiting for it
부사의 위치
무엇을 사용해야 할까?
문장이 부정문이거나 의문문인가요?
1-5분 전에 일어난 일인가요?
사용 카테고리
속도
- • Already
- • Fast
- • Done
최근
- • Just
- • Now
- • Fresh
기다림
- • Yet
- • Negative
- • Future
수준별 예문
I have just eaten.
I have just eaten.
She has already gone.
She has already gone.
I haven't finished yet.
I haven't finished yet.
Have you seen it yet?
Have you seen it yet?
We've just arrived at the station.
We've just arrived at the station.
He's already bought the tickets.
He's already bought the tickets.
They haven't called us yet.
They haven't called us yet.
Has the movie started yet?
Has the movie started yet?
I have just finished the report you asked for.
I have just finished the report you asked for.
Don't worry, I've already paid the bill.
Don't worry, I've already paid the bill.
We haven't decided where to go on holiday yet.
We haven't decided where to go on holiday yet.
Have you spoken to the manager about the problem yet?
Have you spoken to the manager about the problem yet?
The CEO has just announced his resignation.
The CEO has just announced his resignation.
You've finished that book already? You only started it this morning!
You've finished that book already? You only started it this morning!
The scientific community hasn't reached a consensus yet.
The scientific community hasn't reached a consensus yet.
Have the results of the experiment been published yet?
Have the results of the experiment been published yet?
I've just been contemplating the implications of your theory.
I've just been contemplating the implications of your theory.
The government has already implemented several measures to curb inflation.
The government has already implemented several measures to curb inflation.
We have yet to see any tangible evidence of improvement.
We have yet to see any tangible evidence of improvement.
Has the board of directors reached a final decision yet?
Has the board of directors reached a final decision yet?
The witness has just provided a testimony that could jeopardize the entire case.
The witness has just provided a testimony that could jeopardize the entire case.
By the time we arrived, the situation had already deteriorated beyond repair.
By the time we arrived, the situation had already deteriorated beyond repair.
The full extent of the damage has yet to be determined by the authorities.
The full extent of the damage has yet to be determined by the authorities.
Have you not already considered the potential fallout of such a move?
Have you not already considered the potential fallout of such a move?
혼동하기 쉬운
Both refer to things that haven't happened, but 'still' emphasizes the duration and 'yet' emphasizes the expectation.
'Just' is used with Present Perfect; 'just now' is usually used with Simple Past.
'Already' is the time adverb; 'all ready' means everyone is prepared.
자주 하는 실수
I have finished yet.
I have already finished.
I just have eaten.
I have just eaten.
Have you yet eaten?
Have you eaten yet?
I haven't already seen it.
I haven't seen it yet.
She has yet finished.
She has already finished.
I've already did it.
I've already done it.
Has he just left yet?
Has he just left?
I already have been there.
I have already been there.
I haven't seen him just.
I haven't seen him recently / I just saw him.
Did you finish yet?
Have you finished yet?
We haven't yet to receive it.
We have yet to receive it.
문장 패턴
I have just ___.
Has ___ ___ yet?
We've already ___ but we haven't ___ yet.
You've ___ already?!
Real World Usage
I've just left! Be there in 5.
I have already managed several projects similar to this one.
Has our food been prepared yet?
Can't believe I've just hit 1,000 followers!
The gate hasn't opened yet.
Have you taken your medicine yet?
과거분사(V3)와 짝꿍!
부정문에는 'Already' 금지!
놀라움을 표현할 때 'Already'!
Have you finished already?!
Smart Tips
Add 'yet' to the end of your negative sentence.
Put 'already' at the end of a question and use a rising tone.
Use 'have yet to' instead of 'haven't ... yet'.
Think of it as a sandwich filling between 'have' and the verb.
발음
Contraction Stress
In 'I've just', the 've' is very soft, almost silent. The stress is on 'just'.
Yet Intonation
In questions, 'yet' usually has a rising intonation.
Surprise with Already
You've finished ALREADY? ↗
Expresses shock that something happened so fast.
암기하기
기억법
J.A.Y. helps you play: Just (recent), Already (early), Yet (waiting).
시각적 연상
Imagine a 'Just' clock with the hand only 1 minute past the hour, an 'Already' runner crossing the finish line while others are far behind, and a 'Yet' person looking at their watch waiting for a bus.
Rhyme
Just is near, Already is done, Yet is waiting for the fun.
Story
I have just woken up. I have already brushed my teeth, but I haven't had breakfast yet.
Word Web
챌린지
Write three sentences about your morning using one 'just', one 'already', and one 'yet'.
문화 노트
BrE speakers are very strict about using the Present Perfect with 'just', 'already', and 'yet'. Using Simple Past sounds 'American' or incorrect to them.
AmE speakers frequently use the Simple Past with these adverbs, especially in casual speech.
Using 'already' can signal proactivity and efficiency in a professional setting.
The Present Perfect evolved in Germanic languages to express a state resulting from a past action. Adverbs like 'already' (all + ready) and 'yet' (Old English 'giet') were added to refine the temporal focus.
대화 시작하기
Have you seen any good movies yet this year?
What's something you've already achieved today?
Have you just started learning English, or have you been studying for a while?
Is there a country you haven't visited yet but really want to?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
I'm not hungry. I've ___ eaten a big burger.
문법적으로 올바른 문장을 고르세요:
Find and fix the mistake:
He has yet called me.
Score: /3
연습 문제
8 exercisesI'm not hungry. I have ___ eaten lunch.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Has the mail already arrived yet?
I finished my homework ten minutes ago. (Use Present Perfect + already)
A: Do you want to watch 'Inception'? B: No, I've ___ seen it three times!
Gap filler
'Just' can be used in negative sentences to mean 'not recently'.
Functions
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesalready / I / seen / have / film / that
¿Ya has enviado el correo? (Use 'yet')
The taxi is outside! It has ___ arrived.
Match the terms
Don't tell me the score! I haven't watched the match ___.
We yet haven't decided where to go.
delivered / yet / your / package / been / has / ?
Wait, you've ___ finished the whole pizza?
Acabamos de empezar.
A: Is John here? B: No, he hasn't arrived ___.
Score: /10
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Generally, no. In standard English, `yet` is for negatives and questions. However, in very formal English, you can say `I have yet to finish`, which means `I haven't finished yet`.
`Just` usually means a few minutes or seconds ago. `Recently` can mean days or weeks ago.
It usually goes between `have/has` and the `past participle`. For example: `I have already seen it`. You can also put it at the end for emphasis: `I've seen it already!`
In American English, yes, it's very common. In British English or on English exams (like IELTS/TOEFL), you should use the Present Perfect: `Have you done it yet?`.
Yes! Use it when you are surprised. `Have you finished already?` means `Wow, that was fast!`
It's a convention of English word order for this specific adverb. It helps the listener identify the sentence as a question or a negative expectation.
Yes, especially in American English. `I just saw him` is perfectly fine in the US, while a Brit might prefer `I have just seen him`.
It is a formal way to say that something hasn't happened. `The company has yet to decide` means `The company hasn't decided yet`.
Scaffolded Practice
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In Other Languages
ya / todavía
Spanish 'ya' is much more flexible in position than English 'already'.
déjà / pas encore
French uses 'venir de' + infinitive for 'just' instead of an adverb.
schon / noch nicht
German word order is more rigid regarding the 'V2' rule.
mou / mada
Japanese doesn't have a direct equivalent for 'just' as an adverb in the same way; it uses verb endings like '-ta bakari'.
qad / lamma
The concept of 'just' is often expressed through specific verbs or time phrases.
yǐjīng / hái méiyǒu
Chinese has no verb conjugation, so the 'tense' is entirely dependent on these particles.
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