The present perfect tense is a verb form used to connect past actions or events to the present. It indicates that something started in the past and has a relevance or connection to the present moment. In other words, it emphasizes the relationship between past actions and their impact on the current situation.
Grammar pattern
Form: Subject + have/has + past participle (3rd form)
Use
Example
Expressing Experiences
“I have visited Paris several times.”
Unfinished Actions
“They have studied English for three years.”
Actions with Relevance
“She has lost her keys.”
Recent Past
“He has just arrived home.”
Adverbs used with Present Perfect
There are some adverbs that we can use with present perfect to make emphasis or add additional details.
Adverb
Meaning
Example
Already
Before the present time or earlier than expected
“I have already finished my homework.”
Even
Emphasizing a surprising or unexpected situation
“I’ve been very busy. I haven’t even had time to have lunch.”
Ever
At any time in the past or in one’s life
“Have you ever traveled abroad?”
Just
Referring to a very recent past or a short time ago
“He’s just come back from Brazil.”
Lately
In the recent past or during a recent period
“I haven’t seen him lately.”
Never
Not at any time in the past or in one’s life
“I have never been to Australia.”
Only
Indicating exclusivity or emphasizing limitations
“I’ve only done the first year of my course.”
Recently
In the near past or not long ago
“She has recently started a new job.”
So far
Describing the extent of an action up to the present time
“They have visited three countries so far.”
Still
Indicating that a situation or action is continuing or ongoing
“I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
Yet
Expressing an action or event expected to happen but hasn’t occurred until now
What does already/ yet mean? Well, it’s not easy to talk about their meaning if we remove them from sentences. For words like already and yet we need to rely on grammar to understand the context and meaning.
Already and yet are time words. More precisely they are adverbs that are commonly used with present perfect.
Present perfect + already/ yet is used to show how a past event relates to the present.
To do list already/ yet
We use already to say that an action has been completed some time in the past, sooner than expected.
Example: I’ve already finished my homework.
We use yet to say that something hasn’t happened when we expected it to happen. It often means that you have the intention to do something but you have not been able to complete the action.
Example: I haven’t studied for my test yet.
We also use yet to ask questions about things that were completed in the past.
Example: Have you called your mom yet?
*We use already to ask questions about things that we already know or to express surprise. We don’t expect an answer we only want to confirm the information.
For example, your mom hears you telling your friend on the phone that you have already studied for your final test. When you hang up, your mom tells you:
“Have you already studied for your final test? I can’t believe it! Back on my days we spent hours studying for the final tests”
Your mom is surprised. She only wants to verify the information that she just heard.
