Mastering Present Perfect with Just, Already, and Yet (B1 English Grammar) — B1 English grammar lesson by Langcom

Mastering Present Perfect with Just, Already, and Yet (B1 English Grammar)

Рауль Магинья

Основатель Langcom | Экзаменатор по экзаменам Cambridge и SIELE

Август 4, 2026

B1✏️ Грамматика⏱️ Время чтения: 6 мин
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The Present Perfect tense with just, already, и yet helps you talk about actions connected to the present moment. Мы используем just for very recent actions, like I have just finished my work. Already describes actions completed sooner than expected, for example, They have already eaten lunch. Yet is for actions that haven’t happened but are expected, typically in negative sentences or questions, such as She hasn’t arrived yet или Have you finished yet? This combination is crucial for describing experiences, recent news, and ongoing situations without specifying a past time. Remember, the Present Perfect connects the past to the present, and these adverbs add specific nuances about the timing of these connections. Mastering them will make your English sound more natural and precise when discussing recent events or current states, helping you communicate more effectively at a B1 level.

What is the Present Perfect Tense?

The Present Perfect tense connects the past to the present. It describes actions that started in the past and continue now, or actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past but have a result in the present.

The form is have или has + the past participle of the main verb.

  • I have lived here for five years. (Still live here)
  • She has seen that movie. (Result: she knows the story now)

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How Do We Use 'Just'?

Мы используем just to say that something happened a very short time ago. It emphasizes that the action is very recent.

  • Just usually comes between have/has and the past participle.
  • Мы используем just mainly in positive statements.

Примеры:

  • I have just finished my homework. (I finished it a moment ago.)
  • They have just arrived at the airport. (They arrived very recently.)

When Should I Use 'Already'?

Мы используем already to say that something happened before now, or sooner than expected. It shows that an action is complete.

  • Already usually comes between have/has and the past participle.
  • You can also place already at the end of a sentence, especially for emphasis, but the middle position is more common.
  • Мы используем already mainly in positive statements and sometimes in questions to show surprise.

Примеры:

  • She has already eaten breakfast. (She ate it before now.)
  • We have already seen this film. (We saw it before, maybe we don't want to see it again.)
  • Have you already finished? (I'm surprised you finished so quickly!)

What About 'Yet'?

Мы используем yet to talk about something that we expect to happen. It means 'up to now'.

  • Yet always comes at the end of the sentence.
  • Мы используем yet only in negative sentences and questions.

Примеры:

  • I haven't finished my report yet. (I still need to finish it.)
  • Has he called you yet? (Are you still waiting for his call?)
  • They haven't decided yet where to go. (They will decide later.)

Can I Use Present Perfect with Past Time Expressions?

No, you cannot use the Present Perfect tense with specific past time expressions. This is a very common mistake.

  • Use the Present Perfect for actions connected to the present, without a specific past time.
  • If you mention a specific time in the past (e.g., yesterday, last week, two hours ago), you must use the Past Simple tense.

Compare these:

  • I have seen that movie. (Present Perfect - unspecified time, result now)
  • I saw that movie last night. (Past Simple - specific past time)
Summary: Just, Already, and Yet with Present Perfect
Adverb Значение Position Sentence Type
Just A very short time ago Between have/has и past participle Positive statements
Already Before now; sooner than expected Between have/has и past participle (or at end) Positive statements, questions (for surprise)
Yet Up to now; expected to happen At the end of the sentence Negative statements, questions

Примеры

  • The train has just left the station.
  • Have you just woken up?
  • My sister has already bought her plane ticket.
  • I've already told you this story.
  • They haven't started the meeting yet.
  • Has the mail arrived yet?
  • We have just finished dinner.
  • He has already learned all the new vocabulary.
  • The pizza isn't ready yet.

Практика

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Распространенные ошибки у носителей испанского языка

Many Spanish speakers make these common mistakes when using the Present Perfect with 'just', 'already', and 'yet':

  • Using Present Perfect with specific past times: In Spanish, you might say 'He comido esta mañana' (I have eaten this morning). In English, if 'this morning' is finished, you must use Past Simple: I ate this morning. NEVER say I have already eaten yesterday. Instead, say I already ate yesterday (Past Simple) or I have already eaten (Present Perfect, no specific past time).
  • Incorrect placement of adverbs: Remember the positions: just и already usually go before the past participle (I have just seen it, а не I just have seen it). Yet always goes at the end (I haven't seen it yet, а не I haven't yet seen it).
  • Confusing 'yet' with 'still': While both relate to ongoing situations, yet is for things that haven't happened but are expected (in negatives/questions), like She hasn't arrived yet. Still is for something that continues to happen, often unexpectedly or for a long time, like She is still sleeping.
  • Direct translation of 'ya': The Spanish word 'ya' can mean both already и yet (in questions). Be careful! If it's a negative, use yet (e.g., 'Todavía no he terminado' = I haven't finished yet). If it's positive, use already (e.g., 'Ya lo he hecho' = I have already done it).

Часто задаваемые вопросы

What is the main difference between 'just' and 'already'?

Just means 'a very short time ago' and emphasizes recency. Already means 'before now' or 'sooner than expected' and emphasizes completion.

Can I use 'yet' in positive sentences?

No, yet is almost always used in negative sentences and questions with the Present Perfect. For positive sentences, you would typically use already или just.

Where do 'just', 'already', and 'yet' go in a sentence?

Just и already usually go between have/has and the past participle (e.g., I have just eaten. She has already left.). Yet always goes at the end of the sentence (e.g., They haven't arrived yet. Have you seen it yet?).

Why can't I say 'I have already eaten yesterday'?

You cannot use the Present Perfect with specific past time expressions like yesterday. The Present Perfect connects the past to the present without a specific past time. If you mention yesterday, you must use the Past Simple: I already ate yesterday.

Связанные уроки

Об авторе: Рауль Магинья

Рауль Магинья является директором образовательной ассоциации «Langcom» — официального центра подготовки к экзамену Cambridge English в your country. Имея более чем десятилетний опыт работы в сфере языкового образования и международной сертификации, он помог тысячам студентов, преподавателей и образовательных учреждений в 25 странах получить сертификаты по английскому языку: Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL и Michigan.

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