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Adverbs: yet, already, just, recently, lately, ever and never

Presentation / Objective

 

Hello there!

 

By now, you should know the basic English verb forms, and even some complex structures too.

One of those forms is the present perfect when using adverbs.

Before we begin, let us remember that adverbs have a close relationship with verbs, i.e. they indicate how or how often an action is performed.

 

 

 

One way to learn and become familiar with these crucial aspects of the English is by listening to music. Popular culture is plagued with plenty of useful examples.

Watch the following video so you can better understand how to use the frequency adverbs with the present perfect. How many adverbs and present perfect statements can you identify?

CCRVEVO (2015) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain. [Video file] Consulted on February 9, 2017 in http://bit.ly/1CxGyN4

Objective:

By the end of this topic you will:
• Exchange Information about habits, past actions, and events which continue in the present, using the adverbs of time and frequency: yet, already, just, recently, lately, ever and never to produce oral and written statements.

Content

The adverbs yet, already, just, recently, lately, ever and never are commonly used in present perfect sentences to express the regularity or continuity of an action or activity.

 

In Present Perfect you use the following form:

Subject

+

Auxiliary verb have/has

+

Participle form of the verb

+

Complement

+

adverb

=

Present Perfect!

 

Voilá! A more pertinent and interesting sentence is ready!

 

But…what does each adverb mean? Where should you place the adverb?

Click on each tab to review the meaning and position of the frequency adverbs in a sentence.

Meaning

Correct position

 

1. You can use the frequency adverbs before the main verb, the one in past participle form. Except yet and lately.

2. You have to use yet and lately at the end of the sentences,

3. The adverb recently can be used both, before the main verb and at the end of the sentence.,

 

 

Frequency adverbs in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences.

As mentioned previously, frequency adverbs can be used in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences. So, we will explore their use in each type of sentence.

Click on each tab to review each example.

  • Amy has just finished her homework. She's so happy about it because she can watch her favorite TV show now.
  • I’ve already seen this movie. It’s boring.
  • Campbell has recently finished his university studies. He's elaborating his dissertation.
  • Tommy has played a lot of videogames lately. They have become an obsession.
  • My brother hasn’t finished his breakfast yet. Don’t take the salt away, please.
  • I’m afraid I haven’t seen Dorothy lately. I’m sorry.
  • Jackson has never seen a scary movie. Can you believe it?
  • Have you ever considered working as a teacher?
  • Has Sam already come back from the store? It’s getting dark.
  • Have you watched the news lately? The lost schoolboys finally appeared and they’re fine.
  • Haven’t you found a new job yet? They’re needing people at Macy’s

 

VERY IMPORTANT!

Time is crucial to differentiate a situation that is current or continuous or completed.

Let’s take a look at these examples. Click on each tab to review the grammar explanation.

 

Adverbs of time and frequency are then relevant for accurate and assertive communication. Additionally, adverbs are intensifiers, useful to emphasise the moments of past, present or even a combination of both activities.

Let’s take a look at these examples. Click on each tab to review the explanation.

 

A SMALL PRACTICE

Now let's do a simple exercise with the adverbs and their time expressions.

Let’s see if you find:

  • An affirmative sentence in present perfect with the frequency adverb-just.
  • A negative sentence in present perfect with the frequency adverb- never.
  • Other frequency adverbs.

Click here to watch the video.

 

Fiorela, G. (2009) Across the Universe – I’ve just seen a face. Video with lyrics. [Video file] Consulted on February 9, 2017 in http://bit.ly/2lalGsL

Reading

Activity 1

Signs for giving up

Remember that adverbs can indicate the moment when an action is done or the range of time it has covered so far.

In the next exercise, you will practice the use of adverbs by reading a situation familiar to us all.

Read the article

Signs He Doesn't Like You Through Texting

Lawrence, A. (2016), Signs He Doesn't Like You Through Texting,consulted on October 4th, 2016, at http://bit.ly/2dZPc5d



The article is about the signs we must pay attention to when another person is not interested in us.

AAfter reading it, look at the sentences, drag the best option to complete the sentences. You can only do the exercise once. When you finish, check your results.

Remember that the position of a frequency adverb is generally before the main verb in its particple form. Except for yet, lately and sometimes recently, which are located at the end of the sentence.

Here’s a webpage with further information on the adverbs you’ve covered. To practice your reading skills, you can look at the following article and identify the frequency adverbs.

Wait, Have I Been Here Before? The Curious Case of Déjà Vu

Smithsonian.com  (2013) Wait, Have I Been Here Before? The Curious Case of Déjà Vu. (Section Science) Consulted on February 9, 2017 in http://bit.ly/1PseFdO

 

Listening

Activity 2

Experiences

Remember that adverbs can be used in affirmative, interrogative and in questions.


In the next exercise, you will practice the use and identification of adverbs in a recording.


Listen to the following audio, it is a series of questions and answers that exemplify the use of adverbs. You can listen to it as many times as necessary before doing the exercise. When you are ready, write the adverb in the blank of the recording. You can only do the exercise once. When you finish, check your results.

Click here to listen to the audio.

The Lord of the Rings and other experiences

Writing

Activity 3

Once in a lifetime

As explored, frequency adverbs are located in a specific place in the sentence.

Read the following sentences and fill in the blanks with the frequency adverbs to complete the sentence correctly. You can only do the exercise once. When you finish, check your results.

Remember that the position of the frequency adverbs is generally before the main verb. Except for yet, lately and sometimes recently, which are located at the end of the sentence.

You can check the examples given in the following web page and compare them with the sentences you've completed.

Present Perfect + Ever, never, already, yet

Education First (s/a) Present Perfect + Ever, never, already, yet (Section English Grammar) Consulted on February 12, 2017 in http://bit.ly/2l1KuSY

 

Speaking

Activity 4

My experiences

It is necessary to pronounce the adverbs yet, already, just, recently, lately, ever and never appropriately when speaking English.

Practice your pronunciation using the adverbs yet, already, just, recently, lately, ever and never in sentences about yourself.

You’ll have to record your voice in an audio or video file expressing the following:
• Three questions
• Three sentences in negative form
• Four sentences in the affirmative form

 

Before recording, write in a word document your answers. Now record your speech in the free application vocaroo.com. Once the recording is finished, listen carefully. Please try to stress the adverbs. Do not forget to use as many adverbs as you can, because your grade will depend on that.


You will find a rubrics to self-evaluate your performance in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and fluency.

 

Note: Don’t forget that ALL the sentences must have adverbs!

 

 

Self-assessment

Histories

In this lesson and through the learning activities, you have become acquainted with the adverbs, their place in the sentence and their meaning. The following exercise will let you know if you’ve managed to consolidate your knowledge.

You will find a set of questions, each one containing three possible answers. Choose the one that you think is correct. When you finish, based on your assessment you will be provided with the results. You can do the exercise as many times as necessary!

Choose the right option to complete the sentences:

Remember:
Yet, recently and lately are the only used in present perfect structures and appear at the end of the sentence. The rest of them must be placed just before the main verb in a participle form.

 

Feel free to review this lesson every time you need it and don’t forget to practice. You can also check this web page:

Ever & Never & Just & Already & Yet

GrammarBank.com (2011) Ever & Never & Just & Already & Yet (Section Grammar) Consulted on February 8, 2017 in http://bit.ly/29UJbjD

 

Reference

Basics references

Claire, A. y Wilson J.J (2012). Speak Out Pre-Intermediate. Nueva Jersey: Pearson Education.
Oxeden, C., Latham-Koenig, C. y Seligson, P (2008). American English File 2. Londres: Oxford University Press.
http://www.ef.com/english-resources/english-grammar/present-perfect-ever-never-already-yet/
http://www.grammarbank.com/ever-never-just-already-yet.html

Complementary references

iSLCOLLECTIVE.ESL Worksheets. Adverbs of frequency. Retrieved from https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/grammar/adverbs-frequency
EF Education First. Present perfect + ever, never, already, yet. Retrieved from https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/present-perfect-ever-never-already-yet/
Koren Marina (2015). Wait, have I been here before? The curious case of Déjà Vu. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/wait-have-i-been-here-before-the-curious-case-of-deja-vu-10948378/?no-ist