Just, Already and Yet: A2 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. I've ___ finished my homework — five minutes ago. → just

Just means a very short time ago.

2. Have you eaten ___ ? → yet

Yet appears at the end of a question about something expected.

3. She has ___ read that book — twice, in fact. → already

Already says the action happened sooner than expected.

4. Where does just go? I have ___ seen ___ him ___. → first gap

Just sits between the auxiliary and the past participle.

5. We haven't decided ___. → yet

Yet goes at the end of a negative sentence.

6. He's ___ left — you've missed him by a minute. → just

Just marks an action completed moments ago.

7. Which sentence is correct? → I haven't finished yet.

Yet belongs at the end, and only in questions and negatives.

8. Have they arrived ___ ? → yet

A question about an expected arrival takes yet at the end.

9. The film has ___ started — we're ten minutes late. → already

Already expresses surprise that something happened before you expected.

10. I ___ haven't heard from her. → still

Still goes before the negative auxiliary and adds impatience.

11. She has just ___ a new job. → started

Just is followed by the past participle, not the base form.

12. Have you finished the report ___ ? — Yes, I've ___ sent it. → yet / already

The question takes yet; the surprising answer takes already.

13. Which sentence expresses surprise? → Have you already finished?

Already inside a question shows the speaker did not expect it so soon.

14. We've ___ moved into the new office. → just

Just marks a very recent completed action.

15. He hasn't replied ___ , which is unusual. → yet

Yet ends a negative sentence about an expected event.

16. Where does already go? They have ___ paid ___ the bill ___. → first gap

Already sits between the auxiliary and the participle.

17. I've just ___ out of the shower — can I call you back? → got

The participle follows just, and get becomes got.

18. ___ you spoken to the landlord yet? → Have

Yet belongs to the present perfect, so the auxiliary is have.

19. The train has ___ left the platform. → already

Already says the departure happened earlier than expected.

20. Which of these can appear in a positive statement? → already

Already is the only one of these that belongs in a positive statement.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. I've ___ had lunch, thanks — about ten minutes ago. → just

Just means very recently and sits before the participle.

2. Has the postman been ___ ? → yet

A question about an expected event ends with yet.

3. She has ___ finished the whole course, three weeks early. → already

Already shows something happened sooner than expected.

4. They haven't paid the invoice ___. → yet

A negative sentence about an expected action ends with yet.

5. We've ___ got back from the airport. → just

Just marks an action completed moments before speaking.

6. I ___ haven't received the parcel, after three weeks. → still

Still goes before the negative auxiliary and adds frustration.

7. Have you told your parents ___ ? → yet

Yet ends a question about something you expect to happen.

8. He's ___ eaten — he can't be hungry again. → already

Already expresses surprise that something happened so soon.

9. The meeting has ___ started; go straight in. → just

Just before a participle means only moments ago.

10. She hasn't called me back ___. → yet

The negative sentence ends with yet.

11. I've ___ seen this episode, so choose another one. → already

Already shows the action happened before now, sooner than expected.

12. ___ they finished the building work yet? → Have

Yet belongs to the present perfect, so the auxiliary is have.

13. We've just ___ the tickets online. → booked

The past participle follows just.

14. Has he ___ decided which university to apply to? → already

Already inside a question shows surprise at the speed.

15. I ___ haven't finished the book you lent me. → still

Still comes before the negative auxiliary.

16. They've ___ arrived at the hotel, so give them ten minutes. → just

Just marks a very recent arrival.

17. Nothing has ___ been announced about the results. → yet

Yet can also appear mid-sentence in a formal negative with nothing.

18. She has ___ written three chapters this month. → already

Already emphasises how much has been achieved so far.

19. Have you had your interview ___ ? → yet

The question about an expected event ends with yet.

20. The kettle has ___ boiled — the water is still hot. → just

Just explains why the water remains hot.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. Report a meeting that happened moments ago. → I have just seen your brother.

Report a meeting that happened moments ago.

2. Ask about an expected piece of work. → Have you finished the report yet?

Ask about an expected piece of work.

3. Report an earlier-than-expected departure. → She has already left the office.

Report an earlier-than-expected departure.

4. Complain about an outstanding message. → They haven't replied to my email yet.

Complain about an outstanding message.

5. Announce a very recent change of home. → We have just moved into the flat.

Announce a very recent change of home.

6. Explain why a gift would be unsuitable. → He has already read that book.

Explain why a gift would be unsuitable.

7. Express frustration at a long search. → I still haven't found my passport.

Express frustration at a long search.

8. Ask whether an event has begun. → Has the meeting started yet?

Ask whether an event has begun.

9. Report a very recent arrival at a platform. → The train has just arrived.

Report a very recent arrival at a platform.

10. Report an outstanding decision. → She hasn't decided about the job yet.

Report an outstanding decision.

11. Confirm an early payment. → We have already paid the deposit.

Confirm an early payment.

12. Ask a host about expected visitors. → Have your guests arrived yet?

Ask a host about expected visitors.

13. Announce the very recent end of a stressful period. → I have just finished my exams.

Announce the very recent end of a stressful period.

14. Complain about an unanswered message. → He still hasn't returned my call.

Complain about an unanswered message.

15. Report a surprisingly quick sale. → They have already sold the house.

Report a surprisingly quick sale.

16. Ask about an expected medical conversation. → Have you spoken to the doctor yet?

Ask about an expected medical conversation.

17. Explain a locked door to a customer. → The shop has just closed for lunch.

Explain a locked door to a customer.

18. Report an outstanding travel arrangement. → We haven't booked the hotel yet.

Report an outstanding travel arrangement.

19. Report a completed errand. → She has already been to the bank.

Report a completed errand.

20. Offer a drink you have only now prepared. → I have just made some fresh coffee.

Offer a drink you have only now prepared.