Present perfect + ever, never, already, yet | EF Global Site (English) (2024)

Table of Contents
Ever Never Already Yet

Ever

The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now(Have you ever visited Berlin?)'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the main verb (past participle). Ever is used:

In questions
Examples

Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Prime Minister?

In negative questions
In negative statements using the pattern nothing+ever or nobody+ever
Examples

Nobody has ever said that to me before.
Nothing like this has ever happened to us.

With 'The first time'
Examples

It's the first time that I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.

Never

Never means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever: (I have never visited Berlin)

BE CAREFUL!You must not use never and not together

I haven't never been to Italy.
I have never been to Italy.

Already

Already refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition.

Examples

I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (= and you're offering me another one!)
Don't write to John, I've already done it.

It is also used in questions:

Have you already written to John?
Has she finished her homework already?

Already can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence:

I have already been to Tokyo.
I have been to Tokyo already.

Yet

Yet is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not) in the period of time between before now and now, (not) up to and including the present. Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.

Examples

Have you met Judy yet?
I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet
Has he arrived yet?
They haven't eaten yet

Present perfect + ever, never, already, yet | EF Global Site (English) (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5996

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.