Present Perfect
For recently finished actions
Overview
In this grammar section we will have a look at the tense Present Perfect to talk about recently finished/completed actions.
Examples
A: How long have you worked there?
B: I have worked there for 3 years.
A: How long have you been friends?
B: We haven’t been friends for long. We have been friends since 2022
The video gives an overview of to Present Perfect for something recently completed/finished actions.
It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the Present Perfect.
For the form and the pronunciation have a look a the different webpages:
Usage/ Meaning
How and when do we use the Present Perfect?
Just
Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.
I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework. It is an unspecified time in the past. We don’t know when the person did it, but it wasn’t so long ago. It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore.
Already
Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.
I have already done my homework: This means you finished your homework somewhere before now. It is an unspecified time in the past. We don’t know when the person did it. It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore.
Yet
Present Perfect is also used to talk about something that is not finished.
I haven’t done my homework yet: This means you did not finished your homework somewhere before now but that you will do it later. It is usually used to stress that you did not finished the action but you will do it somewhere soon in the future.
Just | already | yet | |
Positive | I have just finished | I have already finished | |
Negative | I haven’t finished yet | ||
Question | Have you just finished? | Have you already finished? | Have you finished yet? |
- Just: recently finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb: I have just finished.
- Already: finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb: I have already finished.
- Yet: not finished, but will finish it later. Negative and questions. At the end of the sentence: I haven’t finished yet.
Practice
Practice
Practice
Questions
Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below. Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….
- What have you already done today?
- What haven’t you done yet today, but must still do today?
- What have you just finished before answering these questions?
- Have you just had some food?
- Have you already finished your homework?
- Have you already studied today?
- Have you just had a phone call?
- Have you already had lunch today?
- Which movie have you already seen more than 2 times?
- Which goals in your life have you already achieved?
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Kristof Abrath
Teacher, Trainer, Course Designer
Teaching in English on 4 different continents since 2006.