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Just / Recently

Timeline of past events: my project, my thesis, my graduation -
Present State of Mind
Relating the Past to the Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past vs. Still in Mind
PAST TENSE PRESENT PERFECT

PAST - The event no longer affects the speaker's present thoughts. The speaker has moved on.

STILL IN MIND - the event still affects the speaker's present thoughts.  The speaker is still "in the moment."

Jason finished his project this morning.  Afterwards, he played soccer.

Jason has just finished his project. He's so happy about it. (now)

Jason finished his thesis.  Later, he began to gather his research.

Jason has recently finished his thesis.  He's preparing to defend it. (currently)

Jason finished his studies this month.  He did very well.

Jason has finished studies this month. He's considering a job. (presently)

Jason graduated this year. Then, he traveled for a month.

Jason has graduated this year. He's quite accomplished. (at this point in time)

 

 

 

Sentence Position - just / recently
INITIAL MEDIAL FINAL

Just, we have finished our work.  (incorrect )

We have just finished the work.

We have finished the work just. (incorrect.)

Recently, we have finished our work.  (emphasis; use a comma )

We have recently finished the work.

We have finished the work recently.

 

 

 

Other Adverbs for "Recent" Past & Present Perfect
PAST TENSE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

The adverbs just and recently can be used with past tense with emphasis on "a moment ago."

More commonly, just and recently are used with the present perfect tense

They just got married.

 They have just gotten married.


  • just
  • recently
  • lately
  • this week
  • this summer
  • this month
  • this year

  • I heard the phone ring just now.
  • It happened just this week.
  • I paid it just this month.

 
  • just
  • recently
  • lately (questions & neg. sentences)
  • this week
  • this summer
  • this month
  • this year
bride and groomthinking

How long can the speaker use just or recently?  That depends — it's all in the mind.
 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes
ERROR FIX

Solution - lightbulbWhere did you go on your vacation? 
I have been to the beach this summer.

8/8/2008

Where did you go?  (Places emphasis on where not duration.)
 I went to the beach this summer.  (Completed. I am no longer there.)

I have seen them lately. (uncommon use)


Lately is more commonly used in negative sentences and questions.

 

Lately more commonly occurs in negative sentences and questions.
Have you seen them lately? (Use lately in a question.)
I haven't seen them lately.    (Use lately in a negative sentence)
I have seen them recently.   ( Use recently in place of lately.)

We have arrived lately.  They had to wait for us.

 

We arrived (and were) late.
Lately (adv) = recently   Late (adj) = past the expected time 

 

 

 

 

 

 

meetingPractice 

Office Chit-Chat

 

 

  1. Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right. 
# YOUR RESPONSE CHECK ANSWER
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