Present Perfect with Already, Yet, & Still

Focus on Grammar: Unit 9

Present Perfect - Review

• Something that began in the past• That continues to the present• (May or may not continue into the future)

• I have lived in Glendale for six months.• I have been a teacher for 12 years.• I have studied English since high school.

Already, Yet, & Still• Use already, yet, & still to talk about things that

happened at an indefinite (not exact) time in the past

• *The past event is important to the present moment

• Example: I have seen Movie X. • (happened in the past at an indefinite time)

• Example: Do you want to watch Movie X or Movie Y?• I have already seen Movie X, so let’s watch Movie Y. • (the past is important to the present decision)• (it’s not important when you saw Movie X)

Already, Yet & Still

• The past event is important to the present moment•We’re talking about something in the recent past• These words show our expectation or feelings

Already

• Use it with something that happened earlier than expected

• Example:• You’ve already finished Exercise 2?• (We’re doing it tonight for homework, so

you finished it earlier than expected)

• Other examples?

Already

• *Sometimes “already” suggests that there is no need for repetition

• Example:• A: We should invite Laura to the party.• B: I’ve already called her. • (You don’t need to call her again.)

Yet (questions)

• Use it to check if something has happened before now• *We often use this when we expect that something has happened or will happen soon

• Example:•Have you finished your essay yet?• (I expect that you have finished or will

finish soon)

Yet (negative)

• Use it to show that something that was expected has not happened

• Example:• She hasn’t finished her essay yet. • (I expected her to finish it because it’s due today)

Still

• Use it to talk about something that hasn’t finished• We use this when we expected something

to finish earlier (similar to “not yet”)• *Shows the speaker is surprised or

unhappy

• Example:•He still hasn’t finished his homework.(I expected it to be finished; I’m unhappy.)

Still (other meaning)

• Still is also used to show that something continues• *This meaning is not used with present perfect

• Example:• I am still working at Kohl’s. •Do you still want to have lunch tomorrow?

Already, Yet & Still

• Already: earlier than expected•Between “have/has” and the past participle

(She has already eaten.)•At the end of the clause (She has eaten already.)

• Yet: something expected hasn’t happened; check if something happened•Usually at the end of the clause (I haven’t eaten yet.)

• Still: something hasn’t finished•Before “haven’t/hasn’t” (They still haven’t eaten.)

Let’s Practice• Make sentences about the To Do list using “already,” “yet,” and “still.” Work with a partner.

Page 125: Exercise 2 Explanations• 1. Have you tried it yet?• Yet (question): Check if something happened before now

• 2. We have already met. • Already: happened earlier than expected

• 3. I have already had three cups!• Already: no need for repetition; important to present

moment

• 4. Has Jenna left already?• Already: happened earlier than expected

• 5. Have you seen Tarantino’s new movie yet?• Yet (question): Check if something happened before now

• 6. I have already planned the whole thing…• Already: happened earlier than expected