B1 · 中级 章节 20

玩转时间线：掌握地道的英语“时机感”

4 总规则
44 例句
6 分钟
本章规则 快速练习

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.

你将学到什么

想要告别生硬的翻译感，像母语者一样灵活掌控对话的“时间节奏”吗？本章将带你深入探索现在完成时中的四位“时间魔法师”：just, already, yet 和 still haven't。我们会学到如何用 just 捕捉“刚刚”发生的瞬间，以及如何巧妙地把 already 放在句中（mid-position），让你的英语听起来自然又流利。当你想询问某事是否按预期发生时，yet 在句尾的用法将是你的好帮手；而当你对某事的延误感到惊讶或无奈时，still haven't 则能精准传达你的情绪。想象一下：在办公室里淡定地告诉老板你“已经”完成了任务，或者在等外卖时地道地询问“还没到吗？”——学完本章，你将不仅能准确描述过去与现在的连接，更能精准掌控表达的语气。准备好让你的英语进阶到 B1 水平，说得更有人情味了吗？

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'.

章节指南

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.

关键例句 (6)

1

I've just seen your TikTok!

我刚刚看了你的TikTok！

现在完成时：Just, Already, Yet (刚刚、已经、还)
2

We've already ordered the pizza.

我们已经点好披萨了。

现在完成时：Just, Already, Yet (刚刚、已经、还)
3

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

Ya terminé mi tarea, ¡así que estoy libre esta noche!

现在完成时: 'Already' 居中
4

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

Ella ya envió su solicitud, aunque la fecha límite es la próxima semana.

现在完成时: 'Already' 居中
5

Have you seen the new superhero movie yet?

Você já viu o novo filme de super-herói?

现在完成时：在句末使用 'yet'
6

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

Eu ainda não terminei meu café, então não estou saindo.

现在完成时：在句末使用 'yet'

技巧与窍门 (4)

💡

动词的“第三种形态”

用这些词的时候，动词一定要用过去分词（V3），比如 'gone', 'seen', 'done'，不能用动词原形或过去式哦。 "I've just eaten." (不是 'I've just eat' 或 'I've just ate')
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 现在完成时：Just, Already, Yet (刚刚、已经、还)
💡

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: 现在完成时: 'Already' 居中
💡

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: 现在完成时：在句末使用 'yet'
💡

强调你的预期

当你觉得某事“早该完了”却没完，用 "still haven't« 比普通的 »yet« 更有感情色彩。比如：»I still haven't received the email!"
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 现在完成时：仍然没有 (惊讶与延迟)

核心词汇 (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

常见错误

'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.
正确: 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.
正确: 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.
正确: 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: 英语社交达人：精准播报你的最新近况

快速练习 (10)

找出并修正句子中的错误。

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.
副词 'still' 在这种结构中必须放在助动词 'haven't/hasn't' 之前。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 现在完成时：仍然没有 (惊讶与延迟)

用 just, already, 或 yet 填空。

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: just
我们用 'just' 来表示动作是刚刚发生的。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 现在完成时：Just, Already, Yet (刚刚、已经、还)

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: 现在完成时：在句末使用 'yet'

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: 现在完成时: 'Already' 居中

选择正确的形式来表达惊讶或延迟。

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: still hasn't
为了表达对已经延迟的事情感到惊讶，'still hasn't' 是最地道的选择。'didn't' 只是陈述过去，而 'already hasn't' 语法错误。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 现在完成时：仍然没有 (惊讶与延迟)

选择正确的句子。

Choose the grammatically correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I haven't seen that movie yet.
'Yet' 应该放在否定句或疑问句的末尾。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 现在完成时：Just, Already, Yet (刚刚、已经、还)

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: 现在完成时: 'Already' 居中

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: 现在完成时: 'Already' 居中

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: 现在完成时：在句末使用 'yet'

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: 现在完成时：在句末使用 'yet'

Score: /10

常见问题 (6)

理论上可以，但很少见。我们通常用 'yet' 或 'still' 来表达否定。比如 'I haven't just arrived' 听起来非常具体，表示“我不是刚刚才到”。
它几乎总是放在句子的末尾。例如：
Have you seen the new episode yet?
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).
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