Adverbs accompanying verbs in the present perfect

The adverbs yet, already, just, recently, lately, ever and never are commonly used in present perfect sentences to express the regularity or continuity of an action or activity. The action itself is finished but only a short time ago and the effects can still be seen or felt.

 

In Present Perfect you use the following form:

Subject 

+ 

Auxiliary verb have/has 

+

Participle form of the verb

 

+

 

Complement

 

+

 

adverb

 

=

 

Present Perfect!

1. You can use the frequency adverbs before the main verb, the one in past participle form. Except yet and lately.

2. You have to use yet and lately at the end of the sentences.

3. The adverb recently can be used both, before the main verb and at the end of the sentence.

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YET

We use yet in the question and in a negative sentence and it is always at the end of the sentence.

Examples

Have you had dinner yet?

I haven’t spoken to her yet.

Has he got up yet?

 

ALREADY

We use already in a positive sentence. Already goes directly before the main verb.

Examples

I’ve already done my homework.

I’ve already called her.

She’s already made dinner.

 

JUST

We use just when something happened a short time ago. Just, like already, goes directly before the main verb.

Examples

I have just eaten.

She’s just found a new job.

We’ve just finished cooking.

LATELY & RECENTLY

We also use the present perfect with the adverbs lately and recently. They generally go at the end of the sentence.

Examples

Have you been to the cinema recently?

I’ve played tennis recently.

I haven’t eaten curry lately.