Grammar: B1 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: ⏳ Perfect & Continuous Tenses - Lesson 3: Present Perfect Simple - Use (Recent past actions with just/already/yet)

⚙️ Lesson 3: Present Perfect for Recent Past Actions

We have learned that the Present Perfect connects the past to the present. Today we will focus on one of its most common uses: talking about recent¹ past actions that have a result now. To do this, we use three key adverbs: just, already, and yet.

Using "Just" for Actions a Moment Ago

We use the adverb just² to talk about actions that happened a very short time ago—seconds or minutes in the past. It shows extreme recency.

Position: 'Just' goes between 'have/has' and the past participle.

• "I'm not hungry, thank you. I have just eaten lunch."
• A: "Is Sopheak here?" B: "No, you've just missed her. She left a minute ago."

Using "Already" for Actions Sooner Than Expected

We use already³ to show that something has happened, often before we expected it to. It can be a surprise that the action is complete.

Position: 'Already' also usually goes between 'have/has' and the past participle.

• "Don't worry about the tickets for the bus to Kep, I have already bought them."
• "She's only twenty, but she has already started her own business."

Using "Yet" for Expected Actions

We use yet⁴ to talk about actions that we think will happen but have not happened until now. It is used in negative sentences and questions.

Position: 'Yet' almost always goes at the end of the sentence.

• Negative: "I haven't visited the salt fields in Kampot yet, but I want to."
• Question: "Have you finished your homework yet?"

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Word

Choose the best word (just, already, or yet) to complete each sentence.

1. I'm not hungry, I've _______ had lunch.
   Answer: just / already (both can be correct depending on context, but 'just' implies more recently)
2. Have you booked your guesthouse in Kampot _______?
   Answer: yet
3. Don't buy any more mangoes. I have _______ bought a kilo.
   Answer: already
4. She hasn't called me back _______. I'm still waiting for her call.
   Answer: yet
5. Wow, you finished so fast! I can't believe you've _______ done it.
   Answer: already

📝 Homework: What would you say?

Write a full sentence for each situation using the Present Perfect and the word in brackets.

1. Your friend asks if you want to see a new movie, but you saw it yesterday. (already)
   (Example Answer: No thanks, I have already seen it.)
   _________________________________________
2. You are waiting for a bus from Phnom Penh that is late. (yet)
   (Example Answer: The bus hasn't arrived yet.)
   _________________________________________
3. You receive an important email one minute ago. You tell your colleague. (just)
   (Example Answer: I have just received an important email.)
   _________________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Recent: (Adjective) - ថ្មីៗ (thmey thmey) - Having happened or started only a short time ago. ↩
2. Just: (Adverb) - ទើបតែ (teub tae) - A very short time ago. ↩
3. Already: (Adverb) - រួចហើយ (ruoch haey) - Before now, or sooner than was expected. ↩
4. Yet: (Adverb) - នៅឡើយ (nov loeuy) - Until now. Used in negative sentences and questions about expected actions. ↩
5. Expected: (Adjective) - រំពឹងទុក (rŭm'pœng tŭk) - Believed to be going to happen or arrive. ↩