B1 · Intermediate Chapter 20

Perfecting Your Timing with Adverbs

4 Total Rules
44 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

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.

What You'll Learn

Ever wonder how to talk about things you've just done, or things that haven't happened *yet*? This chapter will perfectly tune your timing! We'll explore just, already, yet, and "still haven't" so you can express completion, surprise, and delay confidently.

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'.

Chapter Guide

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.

Key Examples (8)

1

I've just seen your TikTok!

Present Perfect: Just, Already, Yet
2

We've already ordered the pizza.

Present Perfect: Just, Already, Yet
3

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

Present Perfect: Already in Mid-Position
4

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

Present Perfect: Already in Mid-Position
5

Have you seen the new superhero movie yet?

Present Perfect: Using 'yet' at the end
6

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

Present Perfect: Using 'yet' at the end
7

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

Present Perfect: Still Haven't (Surprise & Delay)
8

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

Present Perfect: Still Haven't (Surprise & Delay)

Tips & Tricks (4)

🎯

The 'Yet' Trick

If you are answering a question with 'No', always add 'not yet' to sound more hopeful and polite.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Just, Already, Yet
💡

The 'Have' Rule

Always look for the word 'have' or 'has'. 'Already' almost always follows it immediately in the Present Perfect.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Already in Mid-Position
💡

The 'Already' Swap

If you can't decide between 'yet' and 'already', try making the sentence positive. If it works with 'already', the negative version needs 'yet'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Using 'yet' at the end
💡

The 'Still' Sandwich

Think of 'still' as being sandwiched between the Subject and the 'haven't'. Subject -> Still -> Haven't.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Still Haven't (Surprise & Delay)

Key Vocabulary (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

Common Mistakes

'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: Breaking News and Recent Changes

Quick Practice (10)

Correct the error in this sentence: 'They still haven't saw the movie.'

Find and fix the mistake:

They still haven't saw the movie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: They still haven't seen the movie.
The past participle of 'see' is 'seen', not 'saw'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Still Haven't (Surprise & Delay)

Choose the correct word to complete the question.

Has the mail arrived ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: yet
'Yet' is used at the end of questions to check status.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Using 'yet' at the end

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb and 'yet'.

I (not / finish) my coffee ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: haven't finished / yet
We use 'haven't' for 'I' and the past participle 'finished'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Using 'yet' at the end

Which sentence is correct?

Checking on a late delivery:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The package still hasn't arrived.
'Package' is singular (it), so we use 'hasn't'. 'Still' goes before 'hasn't'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Still Haven't (Surprise & Delay)

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

She has already not called me yet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove 'already'
You cannot use 'already' and 'yet' together in this way.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Using 'yet' at the end

Find the mistake in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Has the mail already arrived yet?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove 'already'
You shouldn't use both 'already' and 'yet' in the same question. 'Yet' is the standard choice here.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Just, Already, Yet

Fill in the blank with 'already' in the correct position.

I have ___ (finish) my work.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: already finished
'Already' goes between 'have' and the past participle 'finished'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Already in Mid-Position

Which sentence is grammatically correct in British English?

Select the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I have already seen that movie.
The standard mid-position is between 'have' and 'seen'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Already in Mid-Position

Find the mistake in this sentence: 'She has already went to the store.'

Find and fix the mistake:

She has already went to the store.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Change 'went' to 'gone'
The Present Perfect requires the past participle 'gone', not the past simple 'went'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Already in Mid-Position

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I haven't seen that movie yet.
'Yet' goes at the end of negative sentences.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Present Perfect: Just, Already, Yet

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

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.
Yes, you can, but it's more common in informal speech or when you want to emphasize surprise. For example: 'I've finished it already!'
Rarely. We usually use yet for negatives. Instead of 'I haven't already eaten,' we say 'I haven't eaten yet.'
Generally, no. In standard English, we use already for positive sentences. However, in very formal English, you might see I have yet to..., but this actually has a negative meaning (I haven't done it).
Not yet is neutral and focuses on the expectation. Still not often sounds more frustrated or surprised that something is taking so long. Example: 'I haven't finished yet' (Neutral) vs 'I still haven't finished!' (Frustrated).
Previous Chapter
Sharing Your Life Story
Next Chapter
Breaking News and Recent Changes
Back to Roadmap