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Master English Grammar

Present Perfect: Use with Ever, Never, Just, Already, Yet

Learn how to use the present perfect tense with the adverbs ever, never, just, already, and yet to describe experiences and recent actions.

Why Use These Adverbs?

Adverbs like ever, never, just, already, and yet add meaning to the present perfect tense, helping to clarify if something has happened before, recently, or is expected to happen.

How They Change Meaning

Each adverb modifies the present perfect in a unique way, helping you express specific time references without using exact dates.

Key Points

  • Use ever in questions to ask about life experiences
    • Have you ever visited Paris?
    • Has she ever eaten sushi?
  • Use never for experiences that have not happened
    • I have never seen that movie.
    • They have never traveled abroad.
  • Use just for very recent actions
    • She has just finished her work.
    • We have just arrived home.
  • Use already to show an action happened sooner than expected
    • He has already eaten lunch.
    • They have already seen this movie.
  • Use yet for actions expected to happen (in negatives and questions)
    • Has she finished her homework yet?
    • They haven’t arrived yet.

Rules for Using Ever, Never, Just, Already, Yet

  • Use ever only in questions to ask about experiences.

    • Have you ever met a celebrity?
    • Has he ever played basketball?

  • Use never for negative statements about experiences.

    • I have never visited London.
    • She has never tried sushi.

  • Use just to describe a very recent action.

    • We have just finished dinner.
    • He has just left the office.

  • Use already to say something happened sooner than expected.

    • They have already bought the tickets.
    • I have already done my homework.

  • Use yet in negative sentences and questions for expected actions.

    • Has she called you yet?
    • I haven’t finished my work yet.
ExampleAdverbUse
Have you ever visited London?EverLife experience (questions)
I have never seen that movie.NeverLife experience (negative)
She has just finished her work.JustRecent action
They have already left.AlreadyCompleted action sooner than expected
Has he called you yet?YetExpected action (questions)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the creators of these videos. These are publicly available resources used to provide additional information on the topic.