Adverbs of degree

 

 

Ex. 1

Ex. 2

 

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

 

Grammar - Adverbs of frequency

USES:

They are used to say how often an action is done.

POSITION:

They go AFTER the verb to be but BEFORE other verbs.

Links to exercises: 

Adverbs 1

Adverbs 2

Adverbs 3

Still, yet & already

 

Do you already know how to use these words? Or don’t you know yet? Are they still confusing for you? Maybe this chart will help.

Position of STILL in a sentence

 

Still is used before a verb or adjective

Be + still + adjective

• The baby is still asleep.
• I’m still tired.

Still + main verb

• I still want to go.
• Does he still live with his parents?

Auxiliary + still + main verb

If the verb has two parts, still goes in the middle between the auxiliary and the verb.

• We are still trying to finish the assignment.
• Are you still waiting for him?

BUT if the sentence is negative, still goes before the negative auxiliary verb.

• He still hasn’t quit his job despite complaining about it every day.
• My phone still isn’t working after I dropped it.

Position of YET in a sentence

Verb + (object) + yet

• She hasn’t finished yet. (verb + yet)
• She hasn’t finished her meal yet. (verb + object + yet)
• Have you been to Spain yet?

Adjective + yet

• Fortunately, they aren’t bored yet.
• Is your friend ready yet?

You can see that YET mostly comes at the end of sentence or question. But there is an exception:

YET is sometimes used in affirmative sentences in formal English though it is not common to hear it. In this case, it is not placed at the end of the sentence but after the verb to be.

• We are yet to find a solution.
• The best is yet to come.

Position of ALREADY in a sentence

Already is used before a verb or adjective.

Be + already

• After only 15 minutes, he is already frustrated.
• We are already at the restaurant.

In spoken English, already can be at the end of a sentence for greater emphasis (or to show surprise)

• Has he finished? (No surprise)
• Has he finished already? (I’m surprised)

Now, following word order for YET depends on whether American English or British English is used.

already + main verb

In American English, the word order is already + main verb. This main verb is in the Past simple tense.

• I already ate.
• He already finished the task.

auxiliary verb + already + verb

In British English, the word order is auxiliary verb + already + verb. This verb is a past participle in a Perfect tense.

• I have already eaten.
• He has already finished the task.

Still = continues longer than expected.
Already = sooner than expected.
Yet = it is expected but has not happened.

Ex. 1

Ex. 2

Ex. 3

Ex. 4