сlients@bebestschool.com

ES

l

EN

contact us

Family history

About us

How it all began

Our family

Our large Spanish family

Prices

Free first lesson

General terms and conditions

Public agreement (offer)

Our goal is not to overload students with heavy grammar, turning them into philologists, but to teach a real, living language. The one you hear in a store, the one that allows you to communicate, meet people and clearly articulate your thoughts in a foreign language.

sales team

сlients@bebestschool.com

Contact us

Contact us and we will respond

Blog

The most interesting materials for self-study

Single Child

German

Private lessons of general German

Exams

Big Family

General German group classes

Preparation for school exams, DAF, Goethe, etc.

Cousins

Mini-groups of 2 to 4 people

Brothers-in-law

Special courses (German for IT, Business, travel, relocation)

Single Child

Spanish

Private general Spanish classes

Big Family

General Spanish group classes

Single Child

Italian

Private lessons of general Italian

Big Family

General Italian group classes

Single Child

French

Private general English classes

Big Family

General English group classes

+34 644 826 965
сlients@bebestschool.com
EN l ES

The Use of the Adverbs just, already, still in English

06.05.2025

3 minutes to read

The adverbs just, already, and still are among the most useful tools in English speech when you need to convey how exactly an action develops over time. They may seem short and simple, but with their help, you can show that something has just happened, has already been completed, or is still ongoing. Nevertheless, those learning the language often struggle with them. When should you say just, and when is already more appropriate? What’s the difference between them? And how can still completely change the meaning of what’s being said? In this text, we’ll break everything down — explain how to use them correctly, provide clear examples, and show common mistakes. This will help you grasp the topic faster and start using these words confidently and without hesitation.

The adverbs just, already, and still play an irreplaceable role in conveying temporal nuances in English. These short but expressive words help precisely indicate whether an action happened very recently, has already been completed, or, on the contrary, is still unfolding. Thanks to them, you can not only clarify the time context but also add emotional tones to your speech, making expressions more dynamic and vivid. Moreover, proper use of these adverbs significantly reduces the risk of misunderstandings, since a single word swap can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Therefore, a deep understanding of what they mean and how to use them properly is an important aspect of mastering the English language.
Just
The adverb just is usually translated as “just now” or “only just happened.” It emphasizes that the action occurred literally moments ago and is most often used with the Present Perfect:

She has just left the office.
I’ve just finished my homework.

Important: just indicates a very short gap between the action and the present moment. It gives the statement immediacy and a sense of “right now.”
Already
The adverb already translates as “already.” It shows that the action happened earlier than expected or before the present moment. It’s also often used in the Present Perfect but may appear in other tenses as well:

I’ve already eaten.
She already knows the answer.
Do you already have the tickets?

Already emphasizes completion and sometimes surprise. It is often used to express that someone has done something quicker than expected.
Still
Still is a different matter altogether. It translates as “still” and draws attention to the fact that the action continues or something remains unchanged despite expectations:

He still lives with his parents.
Are you still working on that project?
She’s still waiting for your reply.

Still often indicates that the result of the action has not yet been reached and creates a sense of prolongation or even mild dissatisfaction with the situation.
Comparison of meanings
Compare these three sentences:

I’ve just sent the email.
I’ve already sent the email.
I’m still writing the email.

The situation seems similar, but the meaning is completely different in each case — and all because of a single word.

What the adverbs just, already, and still mean

Using the adverb just: meaning and examples

The adverb just holds a leading position in the arsenal of spoken English. It adds precision and liveliness to speech, allowing one to quickly convey that an action has just been completed. It helps create a sense of immediacy and dynamism in conversation. To use just correctly, it’s important to consider not only its basic meaning but also grammatical nuances — which tenses it’s used with, where it belongs in a sentence, and what typical mistakes are made. Understanding these aspects helps avoid ambiguity and makes your speech more confident and expressive.
Where just is placed in a sentence
In Present Perfect — which is the main tense for just — word order is strict:
have/has + just + past participle (V3)

I have just finished my work.
She has just arrived at the station.
We’ve just spoken to the manager.

Just always goes between the auxiliary and the main verb — this rule has no exceptions.
Use in Past Simple
Although grammar traditionally links just to the Present Perfect, in spoken English — especially American English — it’s widely used with the Past Simple. In this case, it can come before the verb or after the subject:

I just saw him.
She just called me.
We just missed the bus.

This usage is normal in everyday speech, but in writing (especially formal), it’s recommended to use the Present Perfect: I’ve just seen him.
Use in other contexts
Sometimes just doesn’t mean “just now” but “only” or “simply” — it depends on the context. In this sense, it can be used in any tense and its position may vary:

It’s just a suggestion.
He’s just a kid.
I’m just saying…

Important: these meanings are not related to time, and should not be confused with just meaning “just now.”
Pronunciation and perception features
In native speech, just often sounds very fast, sometimes barely noticeable. This is especially noticeable in connected speech:

I’ve just got back sounds like [aɪv ʤəst gɒt bæk]

This can be hard to catch in learning dialogues, but it’s completely normal in real life. That’s why it’s important not only to know how to write it but also to train your listening.
Typical mistakes:
Incorrect word order

Incorrect: She has called just you.
Correct: She has just called you.

Mixing meanings of “simply” and “just now”

I just saw her at the store. — the meaning depends on the context: it could mean either “I just saw her” or “I simply saw her.”

Use in Present Simple
Just is not used in Present Simple to mean “just now”:
He just eats lunch — this has a different meaning (“he simply eats lunch”), not “he just ate.”

The adverb already in English: rules and examples

The adverb already serves as a time marker indicating that an action was completed before a certain point. It not only records the fact of an event ending, but may also add an element of surprise or emphasize that further action is unnecessary. In English, already is usually used with perfect tenses to enhance the sense of completion.
Most commonly, already is used with the Present Perfect, but it also appears in other tenses depending on the context.
Already in Present Perfect
The most typical position of the adverb is between the auxiliary have/has and the main verb in the past participle (V3):

I have already eaten.
She has already finished the report.
They’ve already left.

In this case, already shows that the action happened before the present moment and perhaps the listener didn’t expect it.
Already in other tenses
Despite its close connection to the Present Perfect, the adverb already can also be found in other grammatical constructions — especially in Past Simple and Present Simple, when the context requires it:

She already knew about it.
We already have a solution.
He already called me this morning.

In such sentences, already usually appears before the main verb but after the subject.
Already in questions
In interrogative sentences, the position of already can vary. Questions with the Present Perfect are most often built as follows:

Have you already seen this movie?
Has she already arrived?

However, in spoken language, it’s common to find already in the middle or closer to the end of the sentence — it depends on the intonation and what is being emphasized.
Shades of meaning in already
Sometimes already carries not only the fact of completion but also emotional coloring — surprise, puzzlement, irritation, or certainty:

He’s already gone? (surprise)
I already told you! (irritation)
We already did everything. (confidence, emphasis)

This makes the word flexible and an active participant in lively spoken English.
Common mistakes
Incorrect word order

Incorrect: He has finished already the book.
Correct: He has already finished the book.

Use in negative sentences
Already is not used with negation — if you want to say something hasn’t happened yet, use yet:

Incorrect: He hasn’t already finished.
Correct: He hasn’t finished yet.

Confusion with still
Already means the action is completed; still means it is ongoing:

She has already eaten.
She is still eating.

The contrast between these words is especially important because they are often used in similar situations, but the meaning is opposite.
Use in dialogues
Already often appears in real conversations, especially in short answers:

— Do you want some coffee?
— No, I’ve already had some.

Knowing how to use already correctly helps make your English speech more natural, smooth, and confident. This adverb is everywhere — in films, series, songs — and once you learn to use it properly, you’ll definitely reach a new level in communication.

How the adverb still is used: explanation and examples

The adverb still is not just the word “still.” It adds a special emotional tone to a sentence and indicates that an action or state continues longer than expected. It’s used to emphasize that nothing has changed: the process is not finished, the situation remains, the person is still doing what is being talked about.
Main meaning
Still is most often translated as “still” and is placed before the main verb:

She still lives in London.
I still don’t understand this rule.
Are you still working?

If there is an auxiliary verb (am/is/are, have/has, can, will, etc.) in the sentence, still goes before it:

She is still waiting for your answer.
He still hasn’t replied.
I still can’t believe it.

Thus, the word order depends on the verb type, but the general rule is that still comes before the ongoing action.
Emotional coloring
Still often carries slight surprise, impatience, or disappointment:

He’s still sleeping? (surprise, possibly irritation)
You’re still doing your homework? (suggesting it should be finished by now)

On the other hand, still can sound calm and neutral when simply stating a fact:

I still love that song.
We still have time.

The context determines the tone — it’s important to read the mood of the situation.
Common mistakes
Incorrect placement in a sentence

Incorrect: She waiting still for the bus.
Correct: She is still waiting for the bus.

Confusion with already
These adverbs are often confused, especially in the Present Perfect. Key difference:

Already — action is completed.
Still — action continues.
He has already finished.
He is still working.

Double negation
In English, you can’t use still and yet in the same negative sentence. Choose one:

He still hasn’t arrived. — correct.
He hasn’t arrived yet. — also correct.
He still hasn’t arrived yet. — overloaded in meaning, better to avoid.

Use in questions and answers
Still is often used in questions to clarify the situation:

Are you still angry?
Do you still want to go?

And in short answers, it helps clarify that nothing has changed:

— Has she left?
— No, she’s still here.

Comparison with yet and already

Still — focus on continuation.
Already — focus on early completion.
Yet — expectation of completion, often in questions and negatives.

Examples:

She is still studying.
She has already graduated.
She hasn’t graduated yet.

Why still is worth remembering
This adverb is one of the most frequently used in real spoken English. It sounds natural, helps express ideas more precisely, and makes sentences more vivid. Knowing how to use still helps you avoid many typical mistakes and speak confidently about any topic — from everyday matters to professional discussions.

Table

Common mistakes and memory tips

When working with time adverbs — just, already, and still — students often fall into the same traps again and again. Sometimes it’s not critical, but these little things can make your speech feel “off” — like something’s wrong, but it’s hard to say what exactly.
Frequent mistake: adverb placement
One of the most noticeable problems is bad word positioning. Especially with Present Perfect, where the order matters almost like in math.

Don’t do this: She has called just you.
Better: She has just called you.
Not good: He has finished already the task.
Good: He has already finished the task.
Another one: She waiting still for the bus — sounds unnatural.
Better: She is still waiting for the bus.

What to remember: if there’s an auxiliary verb — put the adverb right after it. This simple rule saves you from 90% of mistakes.
Already and still are confusing
Their meanings are opposite. Already — “it’s done”; still — “it’s not done yet.”

Don’t say: He still hasn’t finished already.
Just say: He still hasn’t finished.
Or: He hasn’t finished yet.

Practical tip: don’t try to use both words at once. Already is the end, still is the process. It’s like “I’ve already eaten” and “I’m still eating” — they don’t go together.
Just and Present Simple — doesn’t work
When you want to say “just now,” just with Present Simple doesn’t work. Especially noticeable in writing.

Wrong: I just eat.
Correct: I’ve just eaten.
In informal speech it’s okay: I just ate.

Tip without theory: if unsure, use Present Perfect — you won’t go wrong.
Another common confusion — meanings of just
Just can mean “just now,” or it can mean “only.” And here is where ambiguity starts.

The phrase I just saw her at the store can mean either “I saw her just now” or “I simply saw her” — it depends on intonation and situation.

What to do: remember that context is your best friend. If it’s about time — it’s “just now,” if about ease of action — “just” means “only.”
How to remember? Visual hacks