Ever is used
+ in questions: Use the
present perfect + ever to ask questions about
experiences in someone’s life.
- Have you ever been to England?
- Has she ever met the Prime Minister?
- Has your brother ever been to India?
“No, he hasn’t.”
Don’t use ever in the answer. Only use it in questions. If you want, you can use before in the answer:
- Yes, I’ve ever taken dance classes.
- Yes, I’ve taken dance classes before.
+ in negative questions
- Haven't they ever been to Europe?
- Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
+ in negative statements using the pattern nothing.......ever, nobody.......ever
- Nobody has ever said that to me before.
- Nothing like this has ever happened to us.
+ 'Ever' is also used with 'The first time....
- It's the first time (that) I've ever eaten snails.
- This is the first time I've ever been to England.
Never
Means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever:
- I’ve never failed a test. I’ve always gotten 80% or more.
- He’s never heard of Michael Jackson. I can’t believe he doesn’t know the King of Pop!
- Samantha has never been surfing. She’s afraid of the ocean.
- We’ve never studied Italian. We studied French and Spanish in school, but Italian wasn’t available.
- They’ve never told a lie. I know we can trust them.
BE CAREFUL!
You must not use never and not together:
I haven't never been to Italy.- I have never been to Italy.
Conversation Tip:
Many conversations begin with a question in the present perfect, and then continue with more specific questions about the experience in the simple past.
A: Have you ever taken dance classes?
B: Yes, I have. I took 6 weeks of lessons before my wedding last year.
A: Wow! So did you dance well on the big day?
B: No, I didn’t – I forgot everything I’d learned in the classes, and I stepped on my wife’s feet many times!
A: Oh no! Was she angry?
B: No – she said she still loved me!
Already
Refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition
- 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?
Position
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
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. e.g.
- Have you met Judy yet?
- I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet.
- Has he arrived yet?
- They haven't eaten yet.
Position
Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.
just
Just used with the present perfect means 'a short time before'.
- I've just seen Susan coming out of the cinema.
- Mike's just called. Can you ring him back, please?
- Have you just taken my pen?
Just comes between the auxiliary verb (
have/has) and the past participle.
still
Still used with the present perfect means that something hasn't happened. We use it to emphasise that we expected the thing to happen earlier. Still (in this context) is only used in negative sentences.
- I've been waiting for an hour and the bus still hasn't come.
- They promised me that report yesterday but they still haven't finished it.
- She still hasn't replied to my email. Maybe she's on holiday.
Still comes between the subject (the bus, they, etc.) and auxiliary verb (haven't/hasn't).