I am sure that many people who study the language on their own reach the Present Perfect and ... this is where their study ends, because according to the explanations from the textbook, not everyone can understand How is it? and Why is it? In this article, I will not rewrite the rules, I will try to clearly and easily explain what Present Perfect is.

First of all, let me remind you of the education of this time.

We form a statement using the auxiliary verb have or has and the main verb in the third form, which in grammar is called Past Participle. If the verb is regular (regular), then the ending is added to it -ed if the verb is irregular (irregular), then we take the third form from the third column of the table of irregular verbs. In this article, I will refer to the Past Participle as V3:

In negation, a negative particle is added to the auxiliary verb not:

To form an interrogative form, the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject ( subject):

Not all special questions can be asked in the Present Perfect. For example, a question with a word is impossible, so in Present Perfect interlocutors are only interested in the result. If we are interested in time, then we need to use another grammatical construction to express an action in the past.

Using Present Perfect

Present Perfect - present perfect tense. From the name it is clear that this tense denotes an action that was committed in the past, but is associated with the present. How is it related to the present? How do we understand that it is connected?

From theory, you probably remember that this tense should be used when talking about the result of an action; if the action began in the past, but is still ongoing; and even if we talk about our life experiences; when an action happened in a period of time that has not yet ended ... Surely you have already read about it many times in books or heard from a teacher.

I will try to explain to you step by step and clearly in which cases Present Perfect is used in English. I will try to bring situations from life that you encounter every day, and in which it is appropriate and even necessary to use Present Perfect. In this article, I will give you small tasks, performing which, you can be convinced of the importance of using this time. I want to note that my explanation will be significantly different from those that you read in grammar books.

What distinguishes the Present Perfect from other tenses? These are its markers (they are also called determinant words, time indicators). Let's highlight the main markers of this time:

I'm going to tell you about each of them, because each marker reflects the main points of the use of time.

1. Just (just now)

The time indicator just is often used with Present Perfect and indicates that the action has just taken place, and there is a certain visible and meaningful result.

In the statement, place just - after the auxiliary verb:

In negations, just is not used. Rarely in general.

Just is used in special questions with interrogative words ( , Why, etc.) You can see questions like this with just :

What has just happened? - What just happened?

What has he just done/said? - What did he just do / say?

What just happened? Someone just broke a cup.

When did this action take place? In the recent past, we don't know exactly when.

What do we know? We only know the result of an action. And we can say this in Present Perfect:

What did they just do? They just cleaned the room.

We do not know the exact time, but we have a visible result - the room is clean.

They have just cleaned the room.

What did he just do? He just woke up.

We do not know the time of his awakening (although there is a clock in the photo), but we see the result: he is no longer sleeping.

He has just woken up.

What did you just do? You have just read the explanation. The action has taken place, there is a result: you have learned about the word just .

You can say:

I have just read the explanation.

Exercise: Having performed some action, having received the result, talk about its completion:

I just had my breakfast.

You can look out the window and comment on what just happened there:

The tall man has just crossed the street. Two girls have just entered the shop.

2. Already / yet (already; still)

Present Perfect is used to describe an action that has already taken place or has not yet taken place. In these cases, we are invariably interested in the result, and not in time. To make it clearer, consider an example from life.

Imagine that you come to a store with a shopping list.

Having already done some shopping, you stopped to see what you already purchased.

Let's consider different situations.

You read and translate complex text. You have only translated ten pages so far. You are still working with text. You say:

I have translated ten pages so far. - I've translated ten pages so far.

Your friend is a writer. He writes novels. He has published one novel so far and continues to write. You will say about him:

He has published one novel so far. He has published one novel so far.

The company you work for is expanding rapidly. At the moment you have opened twenty new offices across the country and the company continues to grow:

Our company has opened twenty new offices so far. - Our company has opened twenty new offices at the moment.

All the actions described above took place in the past, but we are evaluating their results at the moment, while the action continues.

Question: How many paragraphs of this article have you read so far?

5. Never / ever (never / ever)

If you decide to indulge in memories and talk about your life experience (life experience), then without time Present Perfect you can't do it.

Do you love to travel? What countries have you been to?

I have been to France. - I was in France.

I have been to Italy. - I was in Italy.

I have been to Spain. - I was in Spain.

It doesn't matter at all when you went to these countries, the main thing is that you visited there, got impressions, you can tell about it.

What countries have you not visited yet? To talk about it, you can use negation or the word never (never). The place of never in a sentence is after the auxiliary verb have/has:

I haven't been to India. - I have never been to India. - I have never been to India.

I haven't been to China. - I have never been to China. - I have never been to China.

I haven't been to Japan. - I have never been to Japan. - I have never been to Japan.

If the word never is used, then the negative particle not not needed because never itself carries a negative value.

You want to ask questions to your interlocutor. Use the word ever :

Have you ever been to London? - Have you ever been in London?

I really hope that my explanation helped you understand the essence of Present Perfect tense. Submit your feedback

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Time markers in Present Simple
Temporary indicators Present Simple

When we speak in the present tense, we often say words such as today, often, every day, in the morning, etc. These words indicate when exactly the action is performed and with what regularity. We will call these words temporary indicators or temporary markers. They are very common in speech and it is simply necessary to remember them. Sometimes they can be accompanied by various prepositions and articles, which must also always be taken into account.

Our work on this topic will be to consider separately all kinds of temporary indicators and give examples of sentences with them. The task is to learn how to use them independently in speech.

1) Today - Today

Today I "m very busy - Today I am very busy
We have a party today - Today we have a holiday
What do you want to eat today?- What do you want to eat today?

Pay attention to where the word today is, because it cannot be placed in any part of the sentence. Basically, in the affirmative and negative sentences, this temporary indicator is placed at the beginning or at the end. In an interrogative sentence - at the end. Word order in English and Russian is different.

Try to say it yourself:

We have a lot of work today
Mark is not very tired today
Do you want to go to the concert today?

2) every day- every day

I go to school every day - I go to school every day
We do our homework every day - We do our homework every day
She doesn't work every day - She doesn't work every day
Do you play tennis every day? - Do you play tennis every day?

The expression every day is more often found at the end of a sentence, but sometimes it can also appear at the beginning.

Say it yourself:

Every day I eat meat
Do you cook every day?
My friends watch TV every day

Of course, instead of the word day in this expression, you can substitute words such as month , year , Monday , summer , etc., and we will get new temporary values.

Every week - Every week
Every month - Every month
Every year - Every year
Every Saturday - Every Saturday
Every spring - Every spring

Say in English:

Every year I go to the village
We buy food every week
The trees are yellow every autumn

3) Always- Always

She always speaks very loudly - She always speaks very loudly
I buy always cheap flights - I always buy cheap plane tickets
You are always so beautiful - You are always so beautiful
I "m always glad to see you - I'm always glad to see you
Do you always go to school by bus?- Do you always go to school by bus?

Always in all cases is placed before the verb, with the exception of the verb to be. If the verb to be is used, then always comes after it.

I always watch news- I always watch the news
I am always tired after work- I'm always tired after work.

She always reads novels - She always reads novels
She is always very friendly - She is always very friendly

In interrogative and negative sentences, always always comes after the auxiliary verb don "t or doesn" t and before the semantic verb. In cases with the verb to be - after the subject and predicate.

Do you always understand Americans?- Do you always understand Americans?
Is he always at home?- Is he always at home?
We don't always go by car- We don't always drive.

Say it yourself:

We always work hard
Your friend is always late
Mary always sings in the bath
Do you always eat at a restaurant?

4) Often- often

Most often, the word often is pronounced the same way it is spelled. However, sometimes the sound [t] can be omitted.

I often sing songs in English - I often sing songs in English
Often my friend and I do our homework together- Me and my friend often do homework together
Sandra goes to the chirch very often- Sandra goes to church very often.
Winters in Moscow are often very cold- Winters in Moscow are often very cold

Usually the word often comes before the verb, if this verb is not to be. If it is a verb to be, then often is placed after it. However, sometimes often can also be placed at the beginning of a sentence. Often appears at the end of a sentence if it is preceded by the word very.

The baby cries very often - The baby cries very often

Say it yourself:

Children often eat ice cream
Mary and I often go to the cinema together.

The word order in interrogative and negative sentences is the same as always .

Do you often write with errors?- Do you often write with errors?
He doesn't often play computer games- He doesn't often play computer games
Are these lessons often so boring?- Are these lessons often so boring?

5) Usually- usually

We usually eat popcorn when we watch films- We usually eat popcorn when we watch movies.
Patrick is usually very busy, but today he is free- Usually Patrick is very busy, but today he is free.
Does she usually read books in the original? Does she usually read books in the original?

The word order with usually is the same as with always and often .

Say it yourself:

My mom usually prefers tea
I usually write short messages
Do you usually drink juice or milk?

6) Sometimes- Sometimes

Sometimes I go to the river - Sometimes I go to the river
Sometimes we play basketball near school- Sometimes we play basketball near the school.

This temporary marker is usually placed at the beginning of a sentence.

Sometimes Sam goes to an expensive supermarket
I sometimes wash dishes in cold water.

7) Seldom- rarely

Cindy seldom goes to the gym - Cindy rarely goes to the gym
David flies to Miami very seldom- David flies to Miami very rarely

Seldom also has word order like always , often and usually . Along with the adverb often, seldom is also placed at the end of a sentence if it is preceded by very.

Say it yourself in English:

I rarely drive
We rarely watch films in English
Frank very rarely eats at the restaurant.

8) on Monday , on Tuesday , on Wednesday- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

If we want to say that we do something on some day of the week, we must put the preposition on before each day.

On Sunday we stay at home - On Sunday we stay at home
I don "t work on Saturday - I don't work on Sunday
She has many classes on Tuesday- She has a lot of lessons on Tuesday.
Do you sleep well on Saturday?- Do you sleep well on Saturday?
Alex doesn't go to the gym on Thursday- Alex doesn't go to the gym on Thursday

These temporary indicators are placed at the beginning or end of an affirmative sentence and at the end of interrogative and negative sentences.

Say it yourself in English:

Tuesday I work nine hours
Sarah is learning Spanish on Monday
Friday they play tennis
What are you doing on Thursday?

To say plural on Mondays, on Tuesdays, etc., you just need to put the ending plural-s to the day of the week.

on Monday s- on Mondays
on Sundays - on Sundays

An expression on the weekend can often come in handy. However, British English and American English use different prepositions.

British English:
at the weekend - at the weekend
at weekends - on weekends

American English:
on the weekend - on the weekend
on weekends - on weekends

9) in January, in February- January, February

With months, the preposition in is put.

In June I finish my studies - In June I finish my studies
Travis wants to buy a new house in September- Travis wants to buy a new house in September
Do you study in August? - Do you study in August?
We don't have holidays in April- We don't have holidays in April

The word order here is the same as in the case of the days of the week - in affirmative sentences, the month is either at the beginning or at the end. In negative and interrogative - at the end.

Say it yourself:

In July we go to Italy
Peter doesn't study in October
What are you doing in December?

10) in the summer , in the spring- summer, spring

The case with the seasons is just as simple. We use the preposition in and the definite article.

in the winter - in the winter
in the spring - in the spring
in the summer - in the summer
in the autumn - autumn

Although the definite article in these constructions is an optional element. Many native English speakers do without it and say:

winter
spring
summer
autumn

Both options are correct, and the choice of how to speak is up to you. Our advice is to get used to both forms.

In the summer we swim in the river- In the summer we swim in the river
In winter we play snowballs - In winter we play snowballs

The word order for the seasons is the same as for the months.

There is a word in American English that is often used instead of autumn . This word is fall.

In fall I wear a coat - in the fall I wear a coat

Say it yourself:

In winter my friends and I play hockey
In the summer my parents live in the countryside
Lots of yellow leaves in autumn
His birthday is not in February

11) in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening - morning, afternoon, evening

Consider now the expressions associated with the time of day.

in the morning - in the morning
in the afternoon - in the afternoon (after noon)
in the evening - in the evening
at night - at night

Almost all of these expressions come with the preposition in and the definite article. Stands apart at night. This moment must be remembered.

In the morning I clean my teeth- I brush my teeth in the morning.
My family and I watch TV in the evening- In the evening my family and I watch TV
We don "t sleep a lot at night - We don't sleep very much at night
What do you usually do in the afternoon?- What do you usually do during the day?

As you can see from the examples, the word order remains the same as in the cases with seasons, months and days of the week.

Say it yourself in English:

I sleep well at night
In the evening she washes the dishes
During the day they are in kindergarten

12) at 7 o'clock- at 7:00

In the last section, we touched on the topic of time in English and learned how to say what time it is. However, say It's seven o'clock now And I get up at seven o'clock- two slightly different proposals.

It "s seven (o" clock) - Now it's seven (hours)
I wake up at seven (o "clock) - I get up at seven (o'clock)

In the second case, the preposition at is placed before the numeral. Don't forget this and don't confuse the prepositions. Don't say: I wake up in seven o'clock.

Let's look at example sentences:

My work begins at nine o'clock- Work starts at nine o'clock
The children come home at five- Children come home at five

Most often, this time indicator is placed at the end of a sentence.

To ask a question What time does your work start? we need to use the interrogative combination What time? (At what time?)

What time does your work begin?- What time does your work start?
What time do the children come home?- What time do the children come home?

If we want to specify the time of day when an action occurs, then we can recall the last point and say:

I wake up at seven o'clock in the morning- I get up at seven in the morning
The class finishes at six o'clock in the evening- Lesson ends at 6:00 p.m.

You can also refer to the common Latin abbreviations a.m. and p.m.

From scratch!
Lesson Thirty-One - Lesson 31

The Present Perfect. Time expressions ("pointers" of time)

Giving Evidence

Pronunciation - Pronunciation

In some cases the vowel O and combination ou pronounced like [ʌ]. In a noun blood double O produces the same short sound. Examples: mother- mother; brother- Brother; son- son; among- among; another- another, one more; some- some; enough- enough; southern["sʌðǝn] - southern; blood- blood.

Reading - Reading

Let's go back to the process of the century. What's the matter there? Has anyone killed someone? Did someone kill someone? Has anyone stolen something? Did someone steal something? And in general: who is who? Who is who?

We clarify: the king (king), queen (queen) and jack (knave) are playing cards (playing cards), and of the same suit: They are hearts (worms). They are of one suit (suit). The other suits are diamonds (diamonds), clubs (clubs) and spades (spades). In the courtroom we will see a whole deck of cards. We are going to see a whole pack of cards in the court.

The king is the judge. He is the judge. Jack accused. He is the accused. Verb accuse[ǝ"kju:z] means blame, followed by a preposition of. The Knave is accused of stealing the tarts. derived noun - accusation[ˌækju:"zeiʃn.] (accusation).

The decision on guilt or innocence is made by the jury. Jury["ʤuǝri] means jurors in general, and each juror called juror["ʤuǝrǝ]. Witness in English witness["witnəs]. He gives testimony: he gives evidence["evidǝns].

The Trial of the Century
Process of the century

Herald:	The trial is beginning. Come on.
alice:	What trial is it?
Herald:	Come now and you will see.
alice:	The King and Queen of Hearts are sitting on their throne. There is a great crowd in the hall. There are little birds and animals and there is a whole pack of cards. Who is the accused?
Herald:	The Knave is. There he is standing in front of the King and the Queen.
alice:	Oh, he is in chains! I have never been in a court before. I have only read about it in books. Who is the judge?
Herald:	The King is! Look, he is wearing his crown over the wig.
alice:	And those must be the jurors. The trial has not begun yet, and they are writing busily!
Herald:	They are writing down their names.
alice:	Why?
Herald:	They're afraid to forget them before the end of the trial.
alice:	Stupid things!
Herald:	Silence in the Court!
King:	Herald, read the accusation!
Herald:	The Queen of Hearts made some tarts. One summer day the accused, the Knave of Hearts, stole those tarts. He took them away!

Then... Look, one page is missing. A page has been torn out of the protocol! Oh, yes, we ripped it out and already read it: remember, about how the judge interrogated the first witness, the Hatter, trying to clarify when he started drinking tea. Perhaps there was intent and conspiracy? The Knave stole the pies and took them to the Hatter - for tea! But let's hear what happens next. The interrogation of the Hatter continues. The Hatter is being questioned.

The Trial of the Century
Process of the century

King:	Take off your hat.
Hatter:	It isn't mine.
King:	Stolen! Jurors, write that down!
Hatter:	I make hats and sell them. I am a hatter.
King:	give your evidence. And tell the truth, or I will have you executed on the spot.
Hatter:	I am a poor man, your majesty. I just started my tea... about a week ago. Only the March Hare said...
hare:	I did not say anything!
Hatter:	You did!
hare:	I did not.
Hatter:	Well, then it was the Dormouse who said... After that I cut some more bread and butter...
King:	But what did the Dormouse say?
Hatter:	I don't remember.
King:	You must remember, or I will have you executed!
Hatter:	I am a poor man, your majesty...
King:	You are a poor speaker. You may go.
Queen:	Officer, and just cut his head off outside.

Notes

1. The King deals with the Hatter, and we deal with legal terms. After clarifying all the circumstances, the judge must turn to the jury and ask: accept solution- give you verdict["vǝ:dikt]. The jury's decision (verdict) can be guilty["gilti] (guilty) or not guilty(not guilty). If guilty, the judge reads sentence- he reads the sentence["sentǝns]. If the jury decides that the accused is not guilty, the judge sets him free.
But the King, looking ahead, several times demanded that the jury make a decision without even understanding the case. Has not told the jury a few times to give their verdict.

2. The most important forensic term is the verb execute["eksikju: t] (execute). Let's put it in the passive voice: be executed(to be executed). The judge, imitating the formidable wife-queen, who every now and then sends someone to the scaffold, threatens the Hatter with execution. If the King were going to personally behead the Hatter, he would put it this way:

I will execute you on the spot! - I'll execute you on the spot!
I will cut off your head. - I'll cut off your head.

But the King says I will have you executed, which is literally I will have you executed. That is, the King will not cut off the head of the poor Hatter with his own hands, he will not personally cut off the head of the poor Hatter, he will order, orders that the Hatter be executed. Let's make examples with the same construction.

Has not had his car repaired once in two years. He gets his car repaired every two years.

Didn't have it repaired a month ago. - He had it repaired a month ago.

3. Now let's say a word about the poor witness: continuing to hold an unfinished cup of tea in one hand, and an unfinished sandwich with butter in the other, he cries: I am a poor man. To which the King throws: You are a poor speaker. Here is a play on words. It is a play on words. Let's look in the dictionary. look up poor. Its meanings are poor, poor, unfortunate, wretched, worthless, bad...

In the first sentence poor- of course poor, in the second - bad, unskillful, useless.

Let's see how one of the translators of Alice, the writer Vpadimir Nabokov, got out of the situation:

I am a poor man, your majesty.
- Your tongue is poor.

Grammar - Grammar

The present perfect (present perfect) tells about events that happened in a certain period of time: this period had a beginning somewhere in the past, it did not end, it includes the present moment. In addition to the aforementioned already And yet, ever And never, since And for, you can use the following "pointers" of time.

I have not seen him today. - I haven't seen him today. ( Today still lasts).

She has come twice this week. She came twice this week. ( The week isn't over yet.)

Brown has been abroad many times in his life. Brown has been abroad many times in his life. ( Brown's life goes on and he is still alive today.)

Adverb just also fits well in the present perfect tense.

We just had lunch. - We just had lunch.
Not has just left. - He just left.
The train has just arrived. - The train has just arrived.

If you specify a past date, period, you must "switch" to the simple past tense (simple past).

I saw him a minute ago. - I saw him a minute ago.
Not lived in Rome in 2001. - He lived in Rome in 2001.
not phoned on Tuesday. - He called on Tuesday.

conversation

It Reminds Me of Something
This reminds me of something

Pooh:	Oh, you have a new bell-rope.
Owl:	A nice thing.
Pooh:	It reminds me of something. I think that I have seen it somewhere else. How long have you had it?
Owl:	Well, just a couple of hours.
Pooh:	It reminds me of something but I cannot say what? Where did you get it?
Owl:	I just found it in the forest. It was hanging over a bush. I thought that somebody lived there, so I pulled it to ring the bell. no one answered. Then I rank it again and it came off. It seemed that nobody wanted it, so I took it home, and...
Pooh:	Owl, you made a mistake.
Owl:	Why?
Pooh:	Someone really wanted it.
Owl:	Who?
Pooh:	My friend Eyeore. He liked it very much.
Owl:	Liked it?
Pooh:	He was attached to it. It was his tail!

Words - Words

bell-rope["belroup] - a cord for a doorbell; find- find; hang- hang; come off["kʌm" of] - fall off, rebound; attach[ǝ"tæʧ] - tie ( literally and figuratively).

The big difficulty is getting used to the fixed word order in English sentences. Everything in a sentence should be in its place, so teachers constantly remind you about the scheme for constructing a sentence. subject + predicate . And it would seem that you are following the pattern, but if an adverb appears in a sentence, then it begins to "wander". Sometimes, of course, you can catch "by ear" that the adverb is in the wrong place, and the sentence sounds "somehow wrong." But it is still better to know the places of adverbs in a sentence, because depending on their positions, the meaning of your statement may even change.

In this article we will talk about adverbs of time just, already, yet, still . They can take two positions in a sentence: in the middle(just, already, still) and at the end(yet) .

JUST

adverb of time just stands for "just now, just now" and describes an action that happened in the recent past, but does not name the immediate moment of the action.

She "s just gone out. (BrE) / She just went out. (AmE) - She just went out.
I "ve just heard the news. (BrE) / I just heard the news. (AmE) - I just heard the news.

With tenses expressing future actions ( , ) just describes an action that will happen in the near future or should happen at the present moment ("just about", "already"):

The phone is ringing. I "m just answering! - The phone is ringing. I'm already answering!
He "s just about to leave. - He is about to leave.

With the expression just now in the value "recently, some time ago" past tenses are used:

He was here just now! - He was just here!
The boys were fighting just now, but at the moment they are playing together. - The boys just fought, but now they are playing together.
I just saw a program about healthy food. - I just watched a program about healthy eating.

ALREADY

Already used primarily in statements and has the meaning: "already". Already used to show that an action happened earlier than expected or a certain situation appeared earlier than expected. Already- adverb-time marker, but you can meet it with other tenses. The place of the adverb already in the sentence is between the auxiliary and the main verb, but sometimes already can be at the end of a sentence:

I have already cooked dinner. - I have cooked dinner already. - I've already cooked dinner.
We have already booked the tickets. - We have booked the tickets already. - We have already booked tickets.

If already is placed at the end, then they want to express astonishment about the fact that the action happened earlier than the speaker expected:

You have come already! You are early today! - Have you come already! You are early today!
I don't believe that you've done the task already. “I don't believe you've already completed the task.

Already can be used in questions if you want to get confirmation action performed, instructions:

Have you already sent the letters? - Nu that, you already sent letters?
Have the children already returned from school? - Well, have the children come home from school yet?

YET

Yet considered to be the opposite already. If already is used in statements, then yet - in questions and denials. In other words, if the statement contains already- in question and negation will be yet. Place yet - at the end suggestion or question:

Have you cooked dinner yet? - Have you prepared dinner yet?
Has she booked the tickets yet? Has she already booked tickets?
He promised to call me but he hasn "t called me yet. - He promised to call me, but he hasn't done it yet.
We haven't decided where to go on holiday yet. - We haven't decided where to go on vacation yet.

In negations, yet can come after the auxiliary verb:

In questions, yet is used to find out something, to get information. Often Not yet is used for a short answer. ("Not yet"):

Have you congratulated Bill? - Not yet. I "ll call him right now.
- Did you congratulate Bill? - Not yet. I'll call him right now.

Has he published his book? - Not yet. He's going to do it in May.
Has he published his book yet? Not yet. He is going to do it in May.

A couple of adverbs already and yet are typical of the time, but in American English you can easily meet them with past simple.

STILL

Adverb still has the following meanings: "still", "still", "still". Still can be used with many tenses ( , and others) and indicates that the situation remains unchanged; The process has dragged on and is not over yet. The adverb of time still emphasizes the duration, the duration of the action.

Still is used in statements and questions. Place still- in the middle of a sentence: after the verb to be, and if the predicate is expressed by a semantic verb - after the subject before the predicate:

Are you still waiting? - Are you still waiting?
I am still angry at him. - I'm still mad at him.
She still works as a doctor. - She is still a doctor.
He was still excited after the trip. - He is still impressed by the trip.
They can be still discussing the problem. - They can still discuss the issue.

To emphasize the duration of the action, still is sometimes put in front of auxiliary verb to be:

He still is ill. - He's still sick.
Jane is still looking for a job. Jane is still looking for a job.

The adverb still can be found in negatives where it stands after subject and expresses dissatisfaction with the protracted situation or surprise:

I still haven't finished writing my composition. - I still won't finish writing my composition.
He still hasn "t found a new job! - He still won't find a job!

Still can be used before the infinitive. In this case, you can replace still on yet:

What will you do? - It's still (yet) to be decided.
- What will you do? - It's still to be decided.

I "ve done a lot of housework but the greatest part it still (yet) to be done. -
I have done a lot of housework, but most of it is still to be done.

Students often ask: "How do you say "already" and "still" in English?". It is impossible to answer such a question immediately, because, depending on the type and meaning of the statement, you have to choose three words: already, yet and still. There is no single and universal option. Let's look at some examples to understand the difference. Imagine that you are waiting for an event to start:

Have they started yet? - Have they started yet?
They have already started. - They've already started.

The speech turned out to be boring and you can't wait for it to end:

Are they still playing? - Are they still playing?
Yes, they are still playing. They have not finished yet. Yes, they are still playing. They haven't finished yet.

Another situation: you can't wait for the guest to arrive:

And then wait for your guest to finally leave:

If you are waiting for something to happen - use already or yet. If you are waiting for the action to end - use still.

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In Russian, yet, already, still and so far are translated as: "still / already", "already", "still" and "up to the present moment". English learners usually encounter these words for the first time when times are tough.

How not to get confused in them? Let's look in detail and with examples, when and how they are used.

Yet

Pronunciation and translation:

Yet / [yet] - already, more

Meaning of the word:
Before the moment of speech or a certain time in the past; after the moment of speech or a certain time in the past

Use:
Usually, yet used in questions or negatives. In questions it is translated as "already", and in negations - as "still". However, yet is always placed at the end of the sentence.

For example, questions: Have you already made up your mind (yet)? Have you met new colleagues already (yet)?

Negative examples: I haven't completed this email yet (yet). We haven't been to this museum yet (yet).

Example:

Have you completed your renovation yet?
You already finished your renovation?

Have they announced anything yet?
They already anything announced?

I haven't talked to the boss yet.
I more didn't talk to the boss.

She hasn't seen these bills yet.
She more I haven't seen those accounts.

Already

Pronunciation and translation:

Already [ɔ: l "redi] / [olre'di] - already

Meaning of the word:
Before the moment of speech or a certain moment in the past

Use:
We use already when the event has already happened at the moment of speech or has already happened at some point in the past. As a rule, already is used in statements (that is, not in questions). For example: By the time the guests arrived, I had already (already) prepared everything. We already (already) discussed this issue. John is already (already) here, let's go say hello.

Sometimes already is used in questions. This is done in two cases.

1) To express surprise that something happened too quickly: How, is it midnight already (already)?

2) When we expect to hear “yes” in response to a question: Have you already prepared a presentation (already)? Have you called your mom already (already)?

Example:

We have already found a solution.
We already found a solution.

I have already told you everything I know.
I already told you everything I know.

Have you finished already? I wish I were so fast!
You already finished? If only I could be as fast!

Have you visited the dentist already? You told me last week that you were going to.
You after all already went to the dentist? You told me last week that you were going to.

Still

Pronunciation and translation:

Still / [style] - still, still

Meaning of the word:
About an action or state that is still ongoing and has not yet ended

Use:
We use still when we want to emphasize that the situation at the moment is not over yet. For example: I am still (still) waiting for your answer. My son is still (still) at school.

It can also be about a certain moment in the past: Yesterday at 10 pm I was still (still) at work. Last week I was still (still) ill and therefore stayed at home.

If we have a negative sentence, then this may mean something that has not yet come (although it should have). For example: We still (still) have not decided anything. He still (still) has not prepared a report.

Example:

I'm still waiting for your reply.
I All more waiting for your reply.

We're still not sure what to do.
We All more not sure what to do.

so far

Pronunciation and translation:

So far / [seu fa '] - up to the current moment, for now

Meaning of the word:
About something that happened or continues up to the current moment (what will happen next is unknown)

Use:
We use so far when talking about a certain situation that continues until the moment of speech, however, things may change in the future.

For example: So far (so far) everything is going well. So far (so far) I have done only part of the work. So far (so far) he has not given us an answer.

Example:

So far the weather has been good.
up to before current moment the weather was good.

All our attempts to find him were unsuccessful so far.
All our attempts to find him were unsuccessful. Bye What.

What is the difference?

Yet- translated as "already" (in questions), "still" (in denials). For example: We haven't discussed this issue yet (yet).

Already- translated as "already" (in statements). For example: I already (already) ordered a pizza.

In questions, it expresses surprise or betrays our inner conviction that something did happen. For example: Are you leaving already (already)?

Still- we use it when we say - something is still going on (and this is the main thing). For example: I am still (still) waiting for my pizza.

Sofar- we use it when something continues up to the current moment, but the situation may change in the future. For example: So far (so far) the day has been productive.

Note: this word is very similar to yet! In negative sentences they are interchangeable:

yet.
Police more did not find the stolen car.

The police haven't found the stolen car so far.
Police Bye What did not find the stolen car.

In positive statements yet simply cannot be used, so there is only possible so far:

The police have caught 4 members of the gang so far.
So far, the police have caught four members of the gang.

! The police has caught 4 members of the gang yet.

Sometimes so far can be confused with still. It is important here that using still, we, first of all, want to convey that the action is still ongoing and there is no end in sight:

I still feel bad about what happened.
I All more I worry about what happened.

You still haven't answered my question!
You still didn't answer my question!

For so far more important is the tone “so far the state of things is this, but in the future everything can change.”

So far I feel really bad about what happened but I'm sure I'll calm down in a couple of days.
So far I'm very worried about what happened, but I'm sure I'll calm down in a couple of days.

So far he hasn't answered any questions, but the tabloid journalists are very persistent.
So far, he has not answered a single question, but the yellow press is very persistent.

Reinforcement task

Insert the correct words in the following sentences. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. I ___ waiting for you at the station! Where are you?!
2. We didn't have any problems ___. Although, we have only completed the easiest part of the project.
3. Have you made a decision ___?
4. Like an hour ago, John ___ is in traffic.
5. No thanks, I ___ ate.
6. ___ we are having a good time in Spain, but we are running out of money…
7. How?! He is here?!
8. I did not receive your letter ___.