Time adverbs used with Present Perfect

The present perfect tense is commonly used with the indefinite time adverbs (time expressions) such as just, never, ever, never, since, for, before, yet, already.

Just

• Refer to events that recently occurred

Examples:

Are you hungry? — No, I’ve just had dinner.

Is Tom here? — No, I’m afraid he’s just gone out.

Already

• An action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition

• Can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence

Examples:

What time does the film start? — It has already started.

What time does the film start? — It has started already.

Yet

• Refer to events that have occurred up to now

Examples:

He hasn’t arrived yet.

Have you eaten the apples yet?

For

• Talk about a period or duration of time

• Doesn’t have to be an exact number, but it needs to refer to a period of time

Examples:

He has lived in Paris for a long time.

We’re going to New York for the weekend.

Since

• Refer to a specific point in time

Examples:

I have lived here since 2010.

I have been walking since 5 p.m.

Ever/Never

• Express the idea of an unidentified time before now

• Always placed before the main verb (past participle)

Examples:

• He has never been abroad.

• Have you ever been to Europe?

Source: https://7esl.com/time-adverbs-used-with-the-present-perfect-tense

Choose the correct answer.

1. According to the relevant sources, this medicine was first tested ... 2015. But the side effects were so serious that it could not be released.

a. yet

b. as early as

2. My new flatmates offered me to travel to Greece with them. But I’d ... come back home from my overseas business trip and therefore was feeling too tired to undertake any journey at all.

a. just

b. so far

3. I’d ... had a five-year experience of working as a geriatric nurse when I decided to apply for a similar job at the MIR Hospital.

a. just

b. already

4. We have ... come across such an exhaustive study on the roots and implications of social inequality. We cannot but admire the author.

a. ever

b. never

5. ..., we don’t have enough evidence to accuse him of domestic violence.

a. So far

b. Already

6. Most of us take electricity for granted and forget how much we rely on it ... the power goes out.

a. as late as

b. until

7. I can’t take on an extra job now, let alone doing an intensive driving course. I’ve ... got a lot of duties to perform.

a. so far

b. already

8. We’ve been making some progress, but we ... haven’t outperformed any of our competitors.

a. yet

b. still

9. The HR wondered whether I’d ... had to do overtime for two or three weeks in a row.

a. ever

b. already

10. “Have you cleared out the attic ...?” asked Minnie.

a. already

b. yet

11. Unfortunately, we haven’t found any suitable solution ...

a. yet

b. still

12. At the moment, I’m in the middle of moving house. However, I didn’t even consider doing that ... June.

a. as late as

b. as early as

Answer the following questions.

1. Have you ever travelled overseas?

2. Have you ever found a buried treasure?

3. Have you ever lost something important?

4. Have you ever leant on other people’s opinions when making a decision?

5. Have you done your morning exercises yet?

6. How many times have you forgotten to congratulate your parents on their wedding anniversary?