The present perfect tense is commonly used with the indefinite time adverbs (time expressions) just, never, ever, never, since, for, before, yet, already.
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Time Adverbs Used with the Present Perfect Tense
- Refer to events that recently occurred
Are you hungry? – No, I’ve just had dinner.
Is Tom here? – No, I’m afraid he’s just gone out.
- 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
What time does the film start? – It has already started.
What time does the film start? – It has started already.
- Refer to events that have occurred up to now
He hasn’t arrived yet.
Have you eaten the apples yet?
- 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
He has lived in Paris for a long time.
We’re going to New York for the weekend.
- Refer to a specific point in time
I have lived here since 2010.
I have been walking since 5 p.m.
- Express the idea of an unidentified time before now
- Always placed before the main verb (past participle)
He has never been abroad.
Have you ever been to Europe?