Present perfect with just / already / yet / ever

These five words often go with the present perfect. Just, already, ever, never go between have/has and V3; yet goes at the end.

💡Already and yet don't go between the verb and its object: I've already finished my homework or I've finished my homework already — not I've finished already my homework. The same with yet: I haven't finished my lunch yet.

1. just = a very short time ago

• Is Nam there? — No, sorry, he's just gone out.

• Hurry up! The film has just started.

2. already = something has happened, often sooner than someone expected

• Don't cook for me. I've already eaten.

• Have you already finished? That was quick!

  already in a question = surprise

3. yet = up to now — in negatives it means “not so far”, in questions “has it happened so far?”. Use it when you expect the thing to happen.

• I haven't booked the tickets yet.

• Have you finished your essay yet?

• I still haven't heard from the bank.

  still haven't = sounds more impatient than yet

💡To ask whether something you expect has happened, use yet: Have you eaten yet? (not already). The short answer is Not yet. In standard British English yet goes with the present perfect (I haven't eaten yet); Americans often use the past simple too in speech (see below).

Ever asks about experience at any time in your life up to now. To say “not at any time”, use never. Never is already negative, so don't add not.

• Have you ever ridden a motorbike? — Yes, I have. / No, never.

• My grandmother has never owned a smartphone.

• I've never seen such a beautiful beach.

• It's the best pho I've ever had.

  ever in an affirmative sentence: often after a superlative

It's / This is the first (second, third…) time + present perfect. Many languages use the present tense here, but English needs have/has + V3. When the story is in the past, it becomes It was the first time + had + V3.

• This is the first time I've cooked pho.

  not: the first time I cook

• It's the third time you've asked me that today!

• It was the first time I had seen the sea.

  a past story → had + V3

For the experience of visiting a place, use been (went and came back). Gone means the person left and isn't back yet.

• Tam has never been to a football match.

• Where's Dad? — He's gone to the market. He'll be back soon.

• I've just been to the gym. I'm exhausted!

In American English, especially in speech, people often use the past simple with just, already and yet. Both are correct; in exams or when you follow British usage, the present perfect is the safe choice.

• I've just seen your message. / I just saw your message.

  British / American

• Have you eaten yet? / Did you eat yet?

  British / American

• ✗I have finished already my homework.

  ✓I have already finished my homework.

  already goes between have and V3 (or at the end), not between the verb and its object.

• ✗She hasn't called me already.

  ✓She hasn't called me yet.

  Negatives take yet.

• ✗I haven't finished yet my lunch.

  ✓I haven't finished my lunch yet.

  yet goes at the end.

• ✗He has never went abroad.

  ✓He has never been abroad.

  has + V3; for the experience of a trip, use been.

• ✗I haven't never tried sushi.

  ✓I've never tried sushi.

  never is already negative — don't add not.

• ✗It's the first time I see snow.

  ✓It's the first time I've seen snow.

  After it's the first time, use the present perfect.