Common words used with Present Perfect

Today we are going to look at some common words in English that are often but not always accompanied by the present perfect. These words are:

already, still, yet, not yet, still not and never.

In the dialogue between Joe and Susan we can clearly see their uses within a spoken conversation.

Joe: Have you eaten yet, Susan?

Susan: No, not yet. I haven’t had a chance all day.

Joe: It’s such a pity that you work so hard all day but you still haven’t had a holiday this year.

Susan: I have never taken my holidays in the summer but I like going on holiday in October. Have you been on holiday yet this year, Joe?

Joe: Yes, I have already been on holiday twice this year, but I still have a few days left which I might take at Christmas time.

Susan: Has your boss agreed to pay you for your holidays?

Joe: No, he still has not! He told me to come back to him after the summer to talk about it again.

Joe: And what about you Susan, any decisions for the summer yet?

Susan: I’m afraid I haven’t even thought of it yet.

Now let’s take a look at where and when to uses these words.

already is used to refer to an action that happened sooner than expected. It is used in affirmative sentences in the present or the past but never in the future.

yet refers to an action that is expected in the future. It is NOT used in the past. If we ask about something expected to happen, we always place “yet” at the end of the sentence.

still is used when we want to say that and action which started in the past is still happening in the present. Often, when we use “still”, it refers to an action happening longer than expected.

never means the action has not happened any time before now. Remember it is always placed before the main verb.

Finally not yet and still not are used as opposites to positive affirmations as seen in the dialogue.

I really hope this has been helpful! To learn more about English: Aulaglobal, your English centre in Lorca.

Have an amazing Sunday!