Already, yet and just with the present perfect

Short answer: Already, just and yet go with have or has and tell about things that happened a short time ago. Already and just go between have and the past participle: I have already eaten. She has just left. Yet goes at the end of questions and negatives: Have you finished yet? I haven’t finished yet. Do not add yesterday or last week.

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At a glance

In short

• already and just: between have / has and the past form.
• yet: at the end of questions and no sentences.
• Do not add yesterday or last week.

What is the rule for “already, yet, just”?

The rule

already and just go between have / has and the past form. yet goes at the end.

How it looks

have + already / just + past form · Have you … yet? · I haven't … yet.

What it means

already: sooner than expected. just: a moment ago. yet: until now (in questions and no sentences).

When to use it

Use them for recent actions.

How it works

• Use these words with have or has and a recent action.
• Put already or just after have or has: have already finished, has just left.
• Use yet at the end, in questions and negatives: Have you finished yet? I haven’t finished yet.
• Do not add a finished time like yesterday or last week. Use the past simple then.

Examples of “already, yet, just”

• We have already read this book.
  Done before now.
• He has just taken his bag.
  A moment ago.
• Have you eaten yet?
  Until now: yes or no?
• I haven't finished yet.
  Not until now.
• I have just seen Tom.
  A moment ago.
• Has she called yet?
  A question with yet at the end.
• They have already left.
  Sooner than expected.
• We haven’t decided yet.
  Not until now.

Common mistakes with “already, yet, just”

• I already have finish. → I have already finished.
  already goes after have, and we need the past form.
• I have finished already yesterday. → I finished it yesterday.
  Do not mix have with a finished time.
• Have you yet eaten? → Have you eaten yet?
  yet goes at the end.
• I have yet finished. → I haven’t finished yet.
  In a negative, yet goes at the end.
• She has just arrive. → She has just arrived.
  After has just, use the past participle.

Exceptions: watch out

• already at the end
  already can also go at the end for surprise: Have you finished already?

Already, yet, still and just

These words describe the time of an action relative to now.

See also: Have you ever …? Experience

Check yourself

1. Put in order: “finished / I / already / have”
   Show the answer

   I have already finished. Already goes after have.

2. Make a question with yet: “you / eat”
   Show the answer

   Have you eaten yet? Yet at the end.

3. Fix: “I have finished it yesterday.”
   Show the answer

   I finished it yesterday. Yesterday needs the past simple.

How to practice “already, yet, just”

The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.

• Practice lesson: already, yet, just

Questions

Where does “just” go?

Between have or has and the past participle: She has just left.

Can “already” go at the end?

Yes, for surprise: Have you finished already? It is still correct.

Is “yet” used in positive sentences?

Not in this pattern. Use already for positive and yet for questions and negatives.

More Texts and Talk rules

• Have you ever …? Experience: have / has + the past form tells about something you did (or never did) in your life, up to now.
• Present perfect or past simple?: A finished time (yesterday, last week) needs the past simple. Experience up to now needs have + the past form.
• Advice and rules: should, must, have to: should gives advice. must and have to give rules. After them, use the plain action word.
• unless: unless means if not. It says what could stop something.
• as … as, and comparing actions: as … as says two things are the same. not as … as says one is less. For actions use faster or more carefully.
• Linking sentences: also, however, for example, in the end: also, however, for example and in the end connect sentences. They start a new sentence, so put a full stop before them.

Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G6: Texts and Talk. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.

Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.

Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30

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