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Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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By submitting my email address. i certify that i am 13 years of age or older, agree to recieve marketing email messages from the princeton review, and agree to terms of use., 8 easy ways to finish your homework faster.

How many times have you found yourself still staring at your textbook around midnight (or later!) even when you started your homework hours earlier? Those lost hours could be explained by Parkinson’s Law, which states, “Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” In other words, if you give yourself all night to memorize those geometry formulas for your quiz tomorrow, you’ll inevitably find that a 30 minute task has somehow filled your entire evening.

We know that you have more homework than ever. But even with lots and lots to do, a few tweaks to your study routine could help you spend less time getting more accomplished. Here are 8 steps to make Parkinson’s Law work to your advantage:

1. Make a list

This should be a list of everything that has to be done that evening. And we mean, everything—from re-reading notes from this morning’s history class to quizzing yourself on Spanish vocabulary.

2. Estimate the time needed for each item on your list

You can be a little ruthless here. However long you think a task will take, try shaving off 5 or 10 minutes. But, be realistic. You won’t magically become a speed reader.

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3. Gather all your gear

Collect EVERYTHING you will need for the homework you are working on (like your laptop for writing assignments and pencils for problem sets). Getting up for supplies takes you off course and makes it that much harder to get back to your homework.

The constant blings and beeps from your devices can make it impossible to focus on what you are working on. Switch off or silence your phones and tablets, or leave them in another room until it’s time to take a tech break.

Read More: How to Calculate Your GPA

5. Time yourself

Noting how much time something actually takes will help you estimate better and plan your next study session.

6. Stay on task

If you’re fact checking online, it can be so easy to surf on over to a completely unrelated site. A better strategy is to note what information you need to find online, and do it all at once at the end of the study session.

7. Take plenty of breaks

Most of us need a break between subjects or to break up long stretches of studying. Active breaks are a great way to keep your energy up. Tech breaks can be an awesome way to combat the fear of missing out that might strike while you are buried in your work, but they also tend to stretch much longer than originally intended. Stick to a break schedule of 10 minutes or so.

8. Reward yourself! 

Finish early? If you had allocated 30 minutes for reading a biology chapter and it only took 20, you can apply those extra 10 minutes to a short break—or just move on to your next task. If you stay on track, you might breeze through your work quickly enough to catch up on some Netflix.

Our best piece of advice? Keep at it. The more you use this system, the easier it will become. You’ll be surprised by how much time you can shave off homework just by focusing and committing to a distraction-free study plan.

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"I am finished" vs "I have finished"

What is the difference between "I am finished" and "I have finished"?

For example, when finishing a task, should I say "I have finished" or "I am finished". Is there a difference in meaning?

• perfect-constructions
• participial-adjectives

8 Answers 8

Depending on context they could have the same or slightly different meanings

I have finished

would be said after completing a task either very recently or some time in the recent past

I am finished

would be said after very recently completing a task.

It can also have the meaning of hopelessness as a person faces impending doom

I've lost everything, I'm finished.

or drawing a dramatic end to a relationship

She said she was finished with her boyfriend.

• I would say that they are nearly identical except that "I have finished" cannot signify your second (dramatic) version of "I am finished". As a response to the "are you finished?", they are identical. when reporting back after a task, I think people are more likely to use "I am finished". It's just a choice for all uses except the dramatic one. –  Bill K Commented Oct 18, 2016 at 23:06
• 1 @BillK Out of context "I am finished" is much more likely to be interpreted as despair. If someone asks you " Are you finished?" the natural response is "I am finished". If you are asked " Have you finished?" the natural response is "I have finished" to match the verb in the question. –  CJ Dennis Commented Oct 18, 2016 at 23:31

You could say either one, but things get more complicated when you elaborate and mention what you've finished:

I have finished this task. I am finished with this task.

• 1 It's true that for the sense I have completed the activity I was engaged in you could actually use either of OP's two 3-word statements. But in practice I think although very young children might be more likely to say I am finished (because of how pre-adolescent / infantile self-awareness and perception work), I'd be pretty certain that the vast majority of adult native speakers would say I have finished (you tell people what you've done, rather than explicitly describing your current state). –  FumbleFingers Commented Oct 18, 2016 at 15:35
• (As in: children say I'm scared! where adults are more likely to say This is scary! ) –  FumbleFingers Commented Oct 18, 2016 at 15:37
• 3 @Fumble I'd be more likely to say I finished (no have ) or I'm done . –  user230 Commented Oct 18, 2016 at 15:45
• 1 @snailplane: I'd be more likely to just sit quietly and wait for others to catch up, if there were several of us doing whatever it was. Unless it was a competition , in which case I'd just yell " Finished! " and expect them all to gasp in amazement. Or facetiously, "Finished, Miss!". It's not that easy to imagine actually saying all and only the three words in OP's examples. –  FumbleFingers Commented Oct 18, 2016 at 16:42

Both are grammatically correct.

The speaker is in the state of being finished with a task.

This describes the completion of the task in the very recent past. ( present perfect tense )

I think there are actually three factors we're discussing here:

• "To Be Finished ", where " Finished " is an adjective meaning 'completed' or 'over'
• The prepositional phrase "To Be Finished With Something" which means the speaker is no longer interested or involved with Something
• "To Have Finished (Something)", meaning something has been completed.

Here are some examples:

• "You are finished ! You will never work in this city again!"
• "I have finished my homework. My homework is finished ."
• "I can't take another step, I'm finished , I'm through."
• "Sir, you haven't finished your steak."
• "No, I'm finished with this steak, waiter. You can clear my plate."

I relate it to French, where "Je suis fini" (I am finished/dead/over) has a much different meaning than "J'ai fini" (I have finished / I'm done).

Also, this is just grammatically speaking. I live in western Canada, and we certainly don't speak this way colloquially.

You should probably not say "I am finished" in most situations as this implies that your life is at an end. It is the "I" that is finished - i.e. close to death or some sort of catastrophic failure.

• That's a bit harsh. Usage in my experience is more of a temporary issue, like when completing IronMan "I have finished; I am finished!" –  MikeP Commented Oct 19, 2016 at 2:51

Grammatically, both are correct, but they are linguistically different.

The first sentence does, in fact describe the speaker as in the state or condition of being finished, specifically with the task of washing the dishes. This construction is the more passive of the two.

The second version describes more accurately the completion of the task as the point of reference for the listener.

To put it another way, the first sentence commands the listener to wait until the speaker is in the condition of being finished, the second says to wait until the action is completed.

The example I'm using is the following:

'Wait until I am finished washing the dishes' vs. 'Wait until I have finished washing the dishes'

I am finished is generally used to describe a situation where I am done and want to put an end(or there is no hope for me for that action or thing or person or anything like that.) to life or any action like I am finished with my life. or I am finished with you. while I have finished is used to say that I have completed an action like I have finished that book.

Here is an example... I am finished with the classes means I do not want to attend the classes anymore due to the teacher or I don't understand that subject.

I have finished the classes means there is a confirmation that I have completed the classes.

"I am finished." Here 'finished' is an adjective. "I have finished." Here 'finished' is the past participle form of the verb 'finish'.

Former one explains the state of being finished. It talks about the subject "I". It usually comes with a preposition like "With".

E.g., I am finished with homework.

Note: "I am finished" (without object) means you're fed up with your life, and you don't have a reason to live your life.

Later one is a sentence in present perfect tense. It may take an object as a complement to the sentence.

E.g., I have finished homework.

Note: Here there is no preposition before the object.

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Past simple or present perfect?

Present perfect – form.

Download full-size image from Pinterest

Short forms.

• has= ‘s
• have= ‘ve
• have not= haven’t 

Note that short forms are not used in positive short answers .

Present perfect – Use

Summary chart, past events when time is not mentioned.

We use the present perfect to talk about past actions or events when time is not mentioned , i.e. we don’t say  when these events happened.

• I ‘ve broken my arm.
• I ’ve passed the exam.
• She ’s found a job.

Just already, yet

We often use the present perfect with just ,   already and yet . We can use  just after the verb have  to emphasise that these events are very recent.

• Tony has just called .  

We use already in positive sentences to talk about actions that we have completed sooner than we expected . Already goes after the verb  have .

• I ‘ve already finished my homework. 

We use yet in negative sentences  and questions  to talk about things that we expect to happen soon.  Yet goes at the end of the sentence.

• Have you finished your homework yet ?
• I haven’t finished my homework yet . 

We often use the present perfect with  recently  to talk about past recent actions.

• They ‘ve recently bought a new car.  

Today, this week, this month, this year

We can use the present perfect with time expressions when the time we mention has not finished.

• I ‘ve seen John today . (=Today has not finished.)
• Has she called you this week ?

Past experiences –  never, ever, before

We use the present perfect to talk about past experiences when we don’t say  or we don’t know  when  something happened.

• He  has been  to the moon. He’s an astronaut.
• I  haven’t been  to India.

Never, ever, before

We often use the words  never, ever,  or  before  to talk about experiences.

• I ‘ve never read  this book.
• Have  you  ever seen a John Wayne film?
• I  haven’t experienced  anything like this  before .

The best thing I’ve ever done

We can use the present perfect simple with a superlative adjective and  ever .

• This is the  best  meal I ’ve ever had .
• It’s the  most amazing  place we ’ve ever travelled  to.

How many times

We can also use the present perfect to say how many times something has happened until now.

• I’ve watched this film three times . 
• We’ve been to Paris twice . 

Have gone to or have been to ?

We say someone has gone somewhere when this person is still away, and we say someone has been somewhere when this person has already come back from that place.

• Tom has gone to Ireland. He’ll be there for a couple of weeks.  (=He’s in Ireland now.)
• We have been to Ireland three times. We love it.  (=We are not in Ireland now.)

Duration from the past until now –  for, since

We can use the present perfect with for , since and how long to ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished .

• We ‘ve been married for 25 years. 
• I ‘ve had this watch since I was a kid. 
• How long have you been friends?
• We ‘ve been married for 20 years. (=We are married now)
• We were married for 20 years. Then we divorced. (We are not married now)

For + period of time; since + moment in the past

We use for  + period of time ( two hours, three days, ten years, etc .), and we use since  + the moment in the past when something started.

• I’ve been here for hours . 
• She’s been my teacher for three years . 
• I’ve been unemployed since May . 
• I’ve lived in this town since I was born . 

Lately, all morning/day/year/etc.

We can also use the present perfect with  lately or with  all + period of time ( all day, all morning, all my life, etc .) to talk about actions that started in the past and continue in the present.

• She’s been with me all day . 
• I’ve been very busy lately . 

Don’t use ago

We can’t use  ago with the present perfect .

When did it happen?

We use the present perfect (NOT past simple) to talk about past experiences and actions when we don’t say  or don’t know  when  they happened.

• I ’ve lost my keys.
• We ‘ve been to a very nice restaurant.

We use the  past simple  (NOT present perfect) when we mention or ask about when something happened  or when the time is known by the speaker and the listener. We often use a past expression ( last week, yesterday, when I was a child, etc .)

Giving details in the past simple

We use the present perfect to introduce a past event or experience, but if we continue talking and we give details, then we use the past simple .

A: I ‘ve been to the cinema. B: What did you see ? A: I saw a very good film by…

A: Oh, you ‘ve broken your arm. B: Yes, I have . A: How did it happen ?

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Present Perfect

For recently finished actions.

Table of Contents

In this grammar section we will have a look at the tense Present Perfect to talk about recently finished/completed actions.

A: How long have you worked there? B: I have worked there for 3 years.

A: How long have you been friends? B: We haven’t been friends for long. We have been friends since 2022

The video gives an overview of to Present Perfect for something recently completed/finished actions.

It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the Present Perfect.

For the form and the pronunciation have a look a the different webpages:

• Present perfect form
• Present perfect pronunciation

Usage/ Meaning

How and when do we use the Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.

I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it, but it wasn’t so long ago . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

I have already done my homework: This means you finished your homework somewhere before now . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something that is not finished.

I haven’t done my homework yet : This means you did not finished your homework somewhere before now but that you will do it later . It is usually used to stress that you did not finished the action but you will do it somewhere soon in the future.

• Just: recently finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have just finished . 
• Already: finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have already finished .
• Yet: not finished, but will finish it later. Negative and questions. At the end of the sentence: I haven’t finished yet .

Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below . Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….

• What have you already done today?
• What haven’t you done yet today, but must still do today?
• What have you just finished before answering these questions?
• Have you just had some food?
• Have you already finished your homework?
• Have you already studied today?
• Have you just had a phone call?
• Have you already had lunch today?
• Which movie have you already seen more than 2 times?
• Which goals in your life have you already achieved?

Spread the word

Kristof Abrath Teacher, Trainer, Course Designer Teaching in English on 4 different continents since 2006.

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4 Tips for Completing Your Homework On Time

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• B.A., English, University of Michigan

Homework, a necessary evil according to many teachers, has a lot of students tied up in knots. Some students can never seem to get things turned in on time. In fact, many students do not even realize that they  have  homework until a friend from class texts them or they overhear someone in the halls talking about Ms. So-and-so's terrible, no-good, awful, horrifying worksheet for Chemistry that is due the next day. These five tips for completing your homework on time, however, should help you get that homework finished on time. 

Tip 1: Rely On a Planning System

Most of you by now are well acquainted with a homework planner. It has the dates, the school subjects you are taking, and a whole lot of blank space to write down your homework assignments. Use these planners if you have them. Writing with an actual pencil or pen may seem almost archaic what with technology virtually doing everything for us, but the kinesthetic movement of writing down an assignment into one of those little squares (Language Arts test tomorrow - STUDY TONIGHT), will actually help solidify that homework in your brain.

Plus, when you are packing up to go home at the end of the school day, all you have to do is open up that planner to see which books, folders, and binders need to go home with you so you will not miss out anything that you need to do that evening.

Some people  hate  using planners. They'd rather walk on a pile of crushed glass than actually write something down in a planner. That's quite all right. One student kept a wadded up piece of paper in his pocket where he'd scrawl his assignments. It worked for him, so it was fine. For those of you not keen on planners or crumpled up notes, your phone can come in really handy. Just download a productivity app and type your assignments in there. Or, keep track of all the work due in the notes section of your phone. Or, snap a picture of the homework board in each teacher's class before you head out into the hallway. Or, if you are really dead-set against anything planner-related, then just send yourself a text after each class with your homework assignments for the night.

No matter which planning system you prefer, use it. Check off each item once you get it in your backpack. Your brain can only process so much information at a time, so you absolutely must write your homework down if you plan to complete it on time. 

Tip 2: Prioritize Your Homework Assignments

All assignments are not created equal. It's strongly recommended you use a prioritizing system when you sit down at home with your homework. Try a system a little something like this:

• Examples: Studying for a major test coming up tomorrow. Finishing a major project due tomorrow. Writing an essay worth a LOT of points that is due tomorrow. 
• Examples:  Studying for a quiz coming up tomorrow. Completing a homework sheet that is due tomorrow. Reading a chapter that is due tomorrow. 
• Examples: Studying for a spelling test that will occur on Friday. Writing a blog and posting it on the class board by Friday. Finish a book upon which you will take a quiz on Friday.
• Examples: Reviewing chapters for the midterm exam. Working on an on-going project, research paper, or long assignment due at the end of the quarter. Completing a packet that isn't due for two weeks. 

Once you've prioritized the work you have to do, complete all the 1's first, then the 2's, moving down as you go. That way, if you find yourself pressed for time because Great-Grandma decided to stop over for family dinner and your mom insisted you spend the evening playing bridge with her despite the fact that you have hours of homework ahead of you, then you will not have missed anything vitally important to your grade. 

Tip 3: Get the Worst Assignment Over With First

So, maybe you absolutely hate writing essays (But, why, though when all you have to do is follow these essay tips? ) and you have a major essay staring you in the face that  must  be completed before tomorrow. You also have to study for a major math test, complete a social studies blog by Friday, study for the ACT  next month, and finish up your science worksheet from class. Your "1" assignments would be the essay and the math test. Your "2" assignment is the science worksheet, the "3" assignment is that blog, and the "4" assignment is studying for the ACT. 

Ordinarily, you would start with the science worksheet because you  love  science, but that would be a big mistake. Start with those "1" assignments and knock out that essay first. Why? Because you hate it. And completing the worst assignment first gets it off your mind, out of your homework cache, and makes everything that comes after it appears to be really, really easy. It will be an absolute  joy  to complete that science worksheet once you have written the essay. Why rob yourself of joy? 

Then, once you've completed the stuff due first, you can focus on putting in a little bit of time on the ACT. Easy peasy.

Tip 4: Take Planned Breaks

Some people believe that sitting down to complete homework means that you literally park your behind in a chair and you don't move it for the next four thousand hours or so. That is one of the worst study ideas in history. Your brain only has the capacity to stay focused for about 45 minutes (maybe even less for some of you) before it goes on the fritz and starts wanting to make you get up and dance the Roger Rabbit. So, schedule your study time with breaks actually built in . Work for 45 minutes, then take a 10-minute break to do whatever it is people your age like to do. Then, rinse and repeat. It looks a little something like this:

Homework Time:

• 45 minutes: Work on "1" assignments, starting with the absolute worst.
• 10 minutes: Get a snack, play Pokemon Go!, surf Instagram
• 45 minutes: Work on "1" assignments again. You know you didn't finish.
• 10 minutes: Do some jumping jacks, dance the Macarena, polish your nails.
• 45 minutes: Work on "2" assignments and maybe even finish with any 3s and 4s. Put everything in your backpack.

Completing your homework on time is a learned skill. It requires some discipline and not everyone is naturally disciplined. So, you have to practice checking that you have everything you need for homework when you are still at school, prioritizing your work, plunging into the assignments you loathe, and taking planned breaks. Isn't your grade worth it?

You bet it is. 

• Tips for Remembering Homework Assignments
• Organize Your Homework With Color Coded Supplies
• How to Get Your Homework Done in College
• Study Habits That Can Improve Grades and Performance
• Organize Your Time With a Day Planner
• Homework Guidelines for Elementary and Middle School Teachers
• Collecting Homework in the Classroom
• Late Work Policy for Teachers Example
• Study Tips for Middle School Students
• Essential Strategies to Help You Become an Outstanding Student
• Tips for Studying for a Midterm Exam
• Top 10 Healthy Homework Habits
• How are College Academics Different from High School?
• The Case for the Importance of Taking Notes
• Time Management Exercise
• How to Deal With Late Work and Makeup Work

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We Indians often say "I finished my homework today itself", which I know is wrong. Which is the correct way to say it?

We use 'itself' to emphasize that the homework was done today, not yesterday. Nor was it delayed till tomorrow. What is the correct way to emphasize the fact that the homework was done today?

• subcontinental-english

• 2 Itself is superfluous. Your homework didn't finish itself (and neither did "today"), you did. –  Mick Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 16:28
• We Cowboys would say that we did that work earlier today. –  tchrist ♦ Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 16:28
• 6 You can say "this very day". –  Xanne Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 17:51
• 1 @user159691 You can only use the post-positioned myself/himself/ourselves/(etc) intensifiers for substantives proper, but words like here and now and today are seldom if ever substantives. They’re deictics that despite having been historically thrown atop the adverbial garbage-heap, do not act very much like adverbs right here and right now, and perhaps even right today. –  tchrist ♦ Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 19:13
• 1 @JohnLawler Not used in Britain either. It is the first time I have encountered this idiom, even though I've got Far Eastern connections and know plenty of Indians. Besides, I never had a schoolteacher who was in the least concerned when you did your homework as long as you had done it. –  WS2 Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 23:59

6 Answers 6

The word 'today' has the literal sense of 'on this day' . So in American English we would actually treat the word 'today' as self-emphasizing.

Simply saying "I finished my homework." without any indication of time or day is a complete and sufficient sentence.

By adding to that statement ("I finished my homework today." or "I finished my homework yesterday.") you are already emphasizing the meaningfulness of the word 'today'.

A related but separate concept is whether the homework 'belongs to today'. If the goal is to state "I was given homework today, and I have finished that homework." then the statement would be made "I finished today's homework.".

• 2 Itself is used as an intensifier to emphasize the thing you are referring to: I think life itself is a learning process collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/itself - I don’t see why it should not be used with today or tomorrow. –  user 66974 Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 17:35
• @user159691 Talk about timing! I just replied to your similar statement on the comment string of this question itself. I'd argue that in any sentence where a specifying word like 'this' is used you can rephrase the sentence with an 'itself' statement. But some of the results are going to feel very clunky and archaic. But since today is self-specifying you cannot say 'this today', and it cannot be rephrased as an 'itself' statement without removing the word 'today'. –  H.R.Rambler Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 17:48

You could use "on this very day." But I don't believe very many English speakers would use an expression like that to emphasize something as banal as finishing their homework.

• 1 Dropping the preposition, 'I've finished my homework this very minute!' works better – probably because of the coincidence of the lads coming round to see if you can come and play football at exactly the right time. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Dec 5, 2017 at 0:27
• It doesn't sound AmE to my ears to use the present perfect in that, but I agree it works much better for the homework! I had more of a context in mind where it's your 21st birthday and you get carded for buying alcohol, so you proudly pull out your ID and say, "I became legal on this very day!" –  joiedevivre Commented Dec 5, 2017 at 17:49
• 2 It doesn't sound very UK to have to wait till you're 21. Perhaps if the US raised the gun ownership age requirement to 121 we'd have something? –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Dec 5, 2017 at 17:53
• Or say, if we even had a gun ownership age requirement at all . . . –  joiedevivre Commented Dec 5, 2017 at 17:57
• I've just re-read my comment; I should make it clear that as a Brit, I was using 'we' for the global community. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Dec 5, 2017 at 19:57

In some contexts, when there is doubt about the veracity of your statement, you can use do to add emphasis.

I did finish my homework today.

However, in most cases, you don’t need to add anything.

I finished my homework today.

The word today doesn’t leave much room for ambiguity. Unless the person doubts your sincerity, it’s perfectly clear when the homework work was finished, and any emphasis would be redundant. If doubt is in the air, as mentioned earlier, you can use do to emphasize that the event did happen.

If need be, in spoken English, you can also emphasize it by accentuating the word today .

• That's because the intensifier needed for a given word depends on what type of word it is. Just as auxiliary do works only on verbs, reflexive pronouns can only be used as post-modifiers to substantives. Temporal and locative deictics like here, there, now, them, today, yesterday, and certain uses of home work like neither substantives nor verbs nor modifiers as far as which "flavor" of intensifiers they can take. About the only intensifier possible for deictics like those is right — and not always. –  tchrist ♦ Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 19:02

Users may be interested in reading a reply in this thread about Indian English. See non-native's reply on Feb 26 '15 at 13:20 about use of only/itself in Indian English.

Is 'Single Sitting' a proper phrase?

from the thread: Something which Indian English has that is not found in other varieties of English is the use of only (@MystiSinha- I am here only) and itself to emphasize time and place. It comes from the Hindi word "hee" and produces sentences like "I was in Toledo only/itself".

I grew up in India, and kind of know this usage. I think most of the time, this will work: "I already finished my homework". (the persons involved usually know what homework is being referred to, and its due date)

If it is important to include the fact it was done today, perhaps: "I have already finished my homework today"

• If it is important to include the fact it was done today, perhaps: "I have already finished my homework today" –  Dev Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 22:31

I have finished today's homework,

then it avoids all ambiguity. The homework was scheduled for completion today and I have completed it, today.

• But suppose you finished tomorrow's homework today. –  Peter Shor Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 21:49
• @PeterShor Then I would say 'I have finished tomorrow's homework'. –  Nigel J Commented Dec 4, 2017 at 22:03

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Teaching Students About Jean Arthur: An Enlightening Journey Through the Life of a Hollywood Icon

Teaching students about reefer madness: understanding the history and dispelling the myths, teaching students about the meaning of “culminated” in a sentence, teaching students about mug shots: a valuable lesson in civics and law enforcement, teaching students about family words list, thank you messages for gift, teaching students about the downton abbey film: bringing history to life, teaching students about the league cup: a comprehensive guide, teaching students about negative heat in endothermic and exothermic reactions, teaching students about the school of athens: enlightening the minds of tomorrow, 21 strategies to help students who have trouble finishing homework tasks.

Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble finishing homework tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Chart homework tasks finished.

2. Converse with the learner to explain (a) what the learner is doing wrong (e.g., not turning in homework tasks ) and (b) what the learner should be doing (i.e., finishing homework tasks and returning them to school).

3. Urge the learner to lessen distractions to finish homework (e.g., turn off the radio and/or TV, have people whisper, etc.).

4. Take proactive steps to deal with a learner’s refusal to perform a homework task to prevent contagion in the classroom (e.g., refrain from arguing with the learner, place the learner at a carrel or other quiet space to work, remove the learner from the group or classroom, etc.).

5. Select a peer to model finishing homework tasks and returning them to school for the learner.

6. Urge the learner to realize that all behavior has negative or positive consequences. Urge the learner to practice behaviors that will lead to positive outcomes.

7. Urge the learner to set up an “office” where homework can be finished.

8. Get the learner to assess the visual and auditory stimuli in their designated workspace at home to ascertain the number of stimuli they can tolerate.

9. Create an agreement with the learner and their parents requiring that homework be done before more desirable learning activities at home (e.g., playing, watching television, going out for the evening, etc.).

10. Make sure that homework gives drill and practice rather than introducing new ideas or information.

11. Designate small amounts of homework initially . As the learner shows success, slowly increase the amount of homework (e.g., one or two problems to perform may be sufficient to begin the homework process).

12. Provide consistency in assigning homework (i.e., designate the same amount of homework each day).

13. Make sure the amount of homework designated is not excessive and can be finished within a sensible amount of time. Remember, secondary students may have six or seven teachers assigning homework each day.

14. Assess the appropriateness of the homework task to determine (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

15. Praise the learner for finishing homework tasks and returning them to school: (a) give the learner a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) provide the learner an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

16. Praise the learner for finishing homework tasks based on the number of tasks the learner can successfully finish. As the learner shows success, slowly increase the number of tasks required for reinforcement.

17. Praise those students who finish their tasks at school during the time given.

18. Send home only one homework task at a time. As the learner shows success finishing tasks at home, slowly increase the number of homework tasks sent home.

19. Show the tasks in the most attractive and exciting manner possible.

20. Find the learning materials the learner continuously fails to take home. Give a set of those learning materials for the learner to keep at home.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend .

How to Renew or Reinstate a Teachers ...

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Using the Present Perfect Tense

Are you wondering when to use the present perfect tense? Or I should say, "have you learned" when to use the present perfect? We use this tense to talk about an action that started in the past and   has a connection to the present.

[Note: Click here to learn  how to form   the present perfect.]

Use #1:   Describe past situations / things that have a strong connection to the present

We use the present perfect simple to describe an action  or state that started at an unknown or unspecified time in the past  AND has a connection to the present .

Learners are sometimes confused by this. They ask, if this tense is called the "present" perfect, why are we talking about "past" actions? Excellent question.

With this tense we're talking about the past   and the present . These actions or situations may have started and ended in the past but we are focusing on the effect of this action now in the present moment. Let's look at some examples to try to make this clearer:

• Your poor grades have become a problem. (The result now is that there is a problem.)
• Have you seen Selma? (Where is she now?)
• She 's gone to school. (She left home and is at school now.)
• Take off your shoes. I have just cleaned the floor. (A short while ago I mopped the dirty floor and it is clean now.)
• I can't find my keys. Have you seen them? (I lost my keys and can't find them now.)
• Have you done your homework? (Is your homework finished now?)
• I started but I haven't finished my homework yet. (My homework is not finished now.)
• I've been sick all day. (I'm still sick now.)

In each of these examples we are focusing on the result now or why the action is important at this present time.

Use #2: Describe past actions or conditions that continue in the present

It's usually easier for learners to understand the second use which is for actions that started in the past and are still continuing in the present moment.

The tense helps to answer " how long ago " something has been happening (in relation to now) or for how long a period of time  something has been happening. 

FOR / SINCE

We often use the words " since " (after a specific time) or " for " (a period of time) with this usage.

• We have lived here for  25 years.(We came here 25 years ago and still live here.) 
• My parents have been married since   1967. (They're still married.)
• We 've waited 20 minutes already for the bus. (We are still waiting.)
• My daughter has been sick for a week.
• I haven’t slept for two days.
• We haven’t seen each other since high school.
• I haven’t had a drink since the accident.
• He hasn’t dated anyone since his wife left him.
• I haven’t smoked a cigarette for three months now.

Note : we cannot use the present perfect tense with a completed time word. For example:

• Wrong:   We have seen the movie last night.  (Correct: we saw the movie last night.)
• Wrong :  Yesterday, I had worked very late. (Correct: Yesterday, I worked very late.)

With finished time words we use the present simple.

Use #3:  To ask about whether we ever   had past experiences

We frequently use the present perfect tense to ask or talk about whether someone has  experienced something during their life (at any time in the past until this moment).

EVER / NEVER / BEFORE

Often, we use the words " ever " (in questions) and " never ".  We will sometimes also add the word " before ."

• Have you ever   eaten fried insects?
• No, I haven't   tried fried insects and never will.
• Has  Jimmy ever   been this sick before?
• Have you taken private English lessons?
• I ' ve never travelled by train before.
• Have the children  ever   done something like this before?
• Never   in my life have I been so much in love.

Adverbs that are frequently used with the present perfect tense:  Already / yet / just / still

The following words (adverbials) are often used with the present perfect tense:

Just describes something that happened a short time before this moment.

• I 've just   received your email and will read it now.
• He 's just   arrived , I hear the car pulling to the garage.
• I'm so excited. Lady Gaga has just   released her latest album.

Just about means that something that was started is almost finished .

• I 've just about   finished this novel.
• Have you finished the report yet? Just about .
• I 've just about   used up all the milk.

Already has two main meanings:

1. Already = before this time (before now)

• Where's that letter? I 've already   mailed it.
• Can I help you clean? I 've already   swept to the floor but you can vacuum the carpet.
• We 've already   eaten at that restaurant so let's go somewhere else.

2. Already = so soon (something happened quickly or earlier than expected)

• We need to take the trash out. I 've already   taken it out.
• Has my boyfriend arrived already? I'm still getting dressed.
• You don't have to ask. Your mother has already   ironed your shirt.

Yet = at this time , until this time , as soon as this time

Note :  Yet usually comes at the end of the sentence. We use yet with negative statements and questions.

• Have my parents arrived yet?   (They are expected to arrive soon.)
• Have you finished the report yet?   (It should be done or finished soon.)
• He hasn't called yet.   (Until this time he hasn't called but he should call soon.)
• It's 3 o'clock and I haven't had lunch yet .

We use still in negative sentences with the present perfect to emphasize an action or situation happening or existing before now and continuing into the present:

• I can't believe you still   haven't written your paper.
• He said he sent an email an hour ago but I still  haven't received it.
• We still   haven't decided what to eat for lunch. 

If you need to review how to form   the present perfect tense please check this page. I go over the positive and negative forms, questions, review the irregular past participles and spelling changes and give lots of examples.

• Main Grammar Page
• Using the Present Perfect

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Present perfect with a specific time in the past

The present perfect expresses the idea of “an action that was finished at some unspecified point in the past”. Saying “I have done it yesterday” is basically the same as saying “I finished doing it yesterday at some unspecified point in the past”. It doesn’t really work, does it; it’s either “at some point” or “yesterday”, not both. If you want to include the time when the action took place, you must use the simple past tense (the “-ed” form), e.g.

However, the simple past is ambiguous. “I did it yesterday” can be used to express that you finished it yesterday as well as that you left the work unfinished and will continue doing it later, as in “I did it yesterday, and I am also going to do it tomorrow”. If you want to express that the action is already completed, you can use verbs like “finish” or “complete” in the simple past:

Note that there is one case where “when + present perfect” can be used: to express surprise or mistrust. Say, a friend of yours told you how he enjoyed the view from the Eiffel Tower, and you weren’t aware of the fact that he had ever been to Paris. You could ask

It is an expression of surprise. You aren’t really asking when he visited Paris; you express that the fact he did surprised you.

There is another common situation in which the rule can be (seemingly) broken. For example, it is perfectly fine to say:

This article was based on my guide to the most common mistakes in English , which explains many similar topics. Why don’t you check it out?

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Use the image.

Simple Past or Present Perfect Simple

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

• I (just / finish) my homework.
• Mary (already / write) five letters.
• Tom (move) to this town in 1994.
• My friend (be) in Canada two years ago.
• I (not / be) to Canada so far.
• But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times.
• Last week, Mary and Paul (go) to the cinema.
• I can't take any pictures because I (not / buy) a new film yet.
• (they / spend) their holiday in New Zealand last summer?
• (you / ever / see) a whale?

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11 Ways to Deal With Homework Overload

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

Making a Plan

Staying motivated, starting good homework habits, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Kaifesh . Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 254,663 times.

A pile of homework can seem daunting, but it’s doable if you make a plan. Make a list of everything you need to do, and work your way through, starting with the most difficult assignments. Focus on your homework and tune out distractions, and you’ll get through things more efficiently. Giving yourself breaks and other rewards will help you stay motivated along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck! Hang in there, and you’ll knock the homework out before you know it.

Things You Should Know

• Create a checklist of everything you have to do, making sure to include deadlines and which assignments are a top priority.
• Take a 15-minute break for every 2 hours of studying. This can give your mind a break and help you feel more focused.
• Make a schedule of when you plan on doing your homework and try to stick to it. This way, you won’t feel too overwhelmed as the assignments roll in.

• Make a plan to go through your work bit by bit, saving the easiest tasks for last.

• Put phones and any other distractions away. If you have to do your homework on a computer, avoid checking your email or social media while you are trying to work.
• Consider letting your family (or at least your parents) know where and when you plan to do homework, so they'll know to be considerate and only interrupt if necessary.

• If you have the option to do your homework in a study hall, library, or other place where there might be tutors, go for it. That way, there will be help around if you need it. You'll also likely wind up with more free time if you can get work done in school.

• To take a break, get up and move away from your workspace. Walk around a bit, and get a drink or snack.
• Moving around will recharge you mentally, physically, and spiritually, so you’re ready to tackle the next part of your homework.

• For instance, you might write “I need to do this chemistry homework because I want a good average in the class. That will raise my GPA and help me stay eligible for the basketball team and get my diploma.”
• Your goals might also look something like “I’m going to write this history paper because I want to get better as a writer. Knowing how to write well and make a good argument will help me when I’m trying to enter law school, and then down the road when I hope to become a successful attorney.”

• Try doing your homework as soon as possible after it is assigned. Say you have one set of classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and another on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Do the Monday homework on Monday, instead of putting it off until Tuesday.
• That way, the class will still be fresh in your mind, making the homework easier.
• This also gives you time to ask for help if there’s something you don’t understand.

• If you want to keep everyone accountable, write a pact for everyone in your study group to sign, like “I agree to spend 2 hours on Monday and Wednesday afternoons with my study group. I will use that time just for working, and won’t give in to distractions or playing around.”
• Once everyone’s gotten through the homework, there’s no problem with hanging out.

• Most teachers are willing to listen if you’re trying and legitimately have trouble keeping up. They might even adjust the homework assignments to make them more manageable.

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You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.understood.org/en/articles/homework-strategies
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids/tips/dealing-with-homework
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/focused.html
• ↑ http://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/august-2014/tips-for-fighting-homework-fatigue
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/homework.html
• ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/study-partners/

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Gapfill exercise.

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English Conditional Sentences — Zero and First Conditionals with Examples [Updated]

Nov 11, 2020 | Conditionals in English , Grammar , Modal Verbs

This lesson on the Zero and First Conditional in English has been updated. The original lesson on this topic was published in November 2015.

Have you memorized the formulas for English conditional sentences but still feel confused about how and when to use them?

That’s understandable. Learning the formulas is a good start but to use them easily (and correctly) it’s important to understand exactly how we use conditionals in English conversation.

That’s what you’ll get in today’s Confident English lesson.

With today’s focus on Zero and First Conditionals, you’ll get practical examples of how to use English conditional sentences to share:

Probabilities

Future Consequences

Promises and Warnings

Most English classes and grammar books teach you the basic rules of conditionals, such as: If + present simple + will + infinitive

Again, that can be useful. But it doesn’t help you understand how to really use conditionals in your daily English life. This lesson will.

Don’t forget to review the other lessons in this series:

• Part 2: Second Conditionals in English

Zero vs. First Conditional in English

• When I’m too tired to cook, I order take-out. (zero conditional)
• If I’m too tired to cook tonight, I’ll order some take-out. (first conditional)

These two sentences are very similar but there is a difference in meaning between the two – can you identify the difference?

Read the sentences again and answer:

• Which one is a general truth?
• Which one is a likely probability?

If you’re not sure, let’s take a closer look at the Zero and First Conditional to help you answer those questions.

How to Use the Zero Conditional in English

Expressing General Truths

We can use the Zero Conditional to show or express a general truth. To do this, we use the Present Simple in both clauses. For example:

• If you heat ice, it melts.

That is a truth. Plain and simple.

Tip: With the Zero Conditional, we often replace “if” with “when.” For example:

• When/If I drink too much coffee, I get a headache.

Talking About Routines

We can also use this Zero Conditional structure to talk about our routines. Routines are things that we do regularly. For example:

• When I wake up, I always drink coffee first.
• When he goes to work, he rides his bicycle.
• When I arrive in the morning, I check my email first.

Can you think of some similar examples? Share them in the comments below.

How to Use the First Conditional in English

Can you predict – with 100% certainty – what will happen tomorrow? Do you always know exactly what will happen in the future? Probably not (but if you can – please tell me! I’d love to know the future!). 🙂

Okay. So we can’t tell the future with 100% certainty but we can express that we think something is very likely to happen or is probable.

And for this, we use the First Conditional. This form shows us something is likely in the future or very likely in the future based on a present situation or event.

Another helpful way to think of this is a REAL situation or event. Sometimes we refer to the First Conditional as the Real Conditional. Let’s look at an example:

• If it snows a lot tomorrow (present situation), the city will cancel school (future probability).

We are not 100% certain that the city will cancel school, but it is likely. We use the future tense (-the city will cancel school) to show that we are talking about a probable result in the future and it is a real. Here are two more examples:

• If it rains tomorrow, I will not go on my hike.
• If we complete this project under budget, the customer will be thrilled.

Sometimes a present situation or event can have a future consequence. These consequences may be positive or negative, for example:

• Pizza sounds amazing for dinner! But if I eat it, I’ll feel terrible about it in the morning. → the future, negative consequence is I’ll feel terrible about it
• Sure, salads seem boring sometimes. But if I eat something healthy, I’ll sleep better. → a future, positive consequence.
• If you develop an effective self-care routine , you will be able to manage stress and anxiety better.
• If we don’t complete this project on time, the boss will be furious. → no one likes to make her boss angry… definitely a future, negative consequence.
• If you cook dinner tonight, I will do the dishes. (promise)
• I will do all my homework now if you let me stay up late. (promise – imagine a child saying this to a parent)
• If you do that one more time, I won’t let you go to the party tomorrow night! (warning — imagine a parent upset with her child about something)
• If you don’t pay your invoice immediately, we will cancel your subscription. (warning)

The First Conditional is great for making promises to others or giving a warning.

Above I used the example warning: If you don’t pay your invoice immediately, we will cancel your subscription. This is warning to a client or customer. It is also a much more professional way to say: Pay now!

Here are more workplace examples:

• If the apartment becomes vacant, the owner will (likely) lose 2-3 months of payment. (warning)
• If we don’t complete this project on time, we will lose our client to our competition. (warning)
• If you reduce your price by 7%, we will sign the contract. (promise – could be used in bargaining or negotiating)
• We will compromise on the costs if you agree to our terms of service. (promise – again this could be used in bargaining or negotiating)

After you’ve watched the video and reviewed the lesson, I’d love to hear from you!

Think about your daily life – either your personal life or business life – and answer these questions.

• What truths or routines can you share using the Zero Conditional?
• What probabilities, consequences, promises or warnings can you use for work or for your daily life with the First Conditional?

Write down a couple examples in the comments section to practice. I will be sure to provide you with feedback.

Have a great week! – Annemarie

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Zero conditional: when the winter season turns into the spiring, all the ice covering on the rivers melts. wnen I start traveling, I always reserve hotels in advance.

First conditional: If my sister comes and stays with mom, I will go back to my own home. If the pandemic gets worse, everyone will be required to wear mask at anywhere.

If someone parks his or her car out of a park lot, he or she will get ticket.

Bravo! These are wonderful examples of the Zero and First Conditional forms.

• Zero Conditional: When I get to work, I switch my computer on and enter the password for the safe.
• First Conditional: If I develop a successful self-care routine, I will be in a fit form and maintain healthy weight.
• FC – promise/ warning: If you help me with the household chores, I will buy you an ice cream./ If you do not help me with the household chores, I will not buy you an ice cream.

When I reach office, I say hello everyone there one by one. If I don’t finish plot in its dedicated time, I will get a deficeincy in ISO survey. I said my niece, If you dont sleep soo, you will not wake up early, so you will loose chance of camp experience with your friends.

1) If You _____ what ____ You ____? 2) Daniel _____ his homework if he_______ it now. 3) what _____ Richard _____ ir the _______ to college 4) If I ______ tonight, I _____ TV instead

Great website! Thank you for an easy to understand lesson on conditionals. Here are my examples.

When I go to bed late at night, it is difficult for me to wake up on time and feel rested. If it rains tomorrow, I will skip my morning walk. If I am tired after work, I will stay in and order dinner. If I don’t do laundry today, I will not have clean clothes to wear for work tomorrow.

I look forward to your feedback!

Hey, Annemarie , I’ve just finished the three videos on using conditional in real life . But I have a question about it . “There could be no doubt that if she were to speak, she would say nothing complimentary to Anna Mihalovna” Does this sentence indicates she isn’t likely to speak ?

When I do homework, I listen my favorite music like Queen or Dire Straits or Alex Baroni. If I drink too coffee in the afternoon, I don’t sleep tonitht. If the client will be late, the session will be too short for optimize our results.

Good examples, Cinzia. With example 2, there’s one little change we want to make. We have two options: 1. “If I drink too much coffee in the afternoon, I ____ sleep tonight.” Because of the word ‘tonight’ we’re talking about the future. In that case, we need to make a change to the negative form. Do you know what it might be? 2. If we want to keep ‘don’t’ then we have to remove the word ‘tonight’ to show that this is something that happens consistently. So it would be, “If I drink too much coffee in the afternoon, I …  Read more »

-When I come home after work, I take a shower. -If the crisis of covid continue, I will lose my job. -If you don’t clean your room, you will be punished.

Good examples with the zero and first conditional forms, Zeinab.

Zero Conditional… 1. When I wear face mask, I get skin irritation. 2. When I arrived home from work, I prepare our dinner right away.

First Conditional… 1. If the Covid cases increases, the government will implement a lockdown. 2. If we create a systematic approach, it will be easier for us accomplish the task faster. 3. If you graduate with honour, I will buy you a new car. 4. If you come home late again, you will be grounded.

Wow, wonderful examples for both zero and first conditionals, Cez! Nicely done.

how is the negative form from… If I´m late for dinner, start eating without me. Please, somebody help me.

Hi Karla, your sentence “If I’m late for dinner…” works perfectly well. However, if you want to tell them not to eat before you arrive, you could say, “If I’m late for dinner, please don’t start without me.”

1. When I bake snacks,I make it for the next whole week. 2. If I am all done with my work before evening, we will go for a walk. 3. If you do yoga everyday for few minutes, you will have healthy body and mind. 4. If you finish your lunch early, I will let you watch your favorite TV show.

Wonderful examples, Joya! Nicely done.

1) When I get enough sleep, I generally feel more energized and productive the next day. 2) If I don’t prioritize and organize my tasks, I wont be able to meet any deadlines.

Hi Siti. Thank you for your comment. I love your examples, and the first one is so true about me. If I don’t have enough sleep or poor quality of sleep, I’ll feel tired and unfocused. Well done!

Hi Annemarie! As always, I compliment you on this great lesson!! 👏 About my routine: When I start my workday, I always check my “to do list” so as not to forget anything important. About consequences: If we don’t stick to anti-covid regulations, the amount of infections won’t decrease. About probability: If I spread myself to thin, I will be really worn out in the evening About promises (for my child 😊): If you will play nice, there will be a great surprise for you tonight!!

Hi Vania. Thank you for sharing your examples with us. We’re glad to hear the lesson was useful for you. And your kid is lucky. I still love surprises!

1)When our children come to see us, we always sit down for a cup of coffee at first. 2) If the anti- corona vaccination gets on the market quickly, we’ll be able to have a more care-free life again. 3) If I tidy up the house immediately, I will have more time for reading.

Oh, fantastic examples, Marianne! You used the zero and first forms perfectly. Nicely done. More time for reading is certainly a good motivation to get things cleaned up. 😊

Thank you Annemarie very much for your excellent lessons, they’re very educational and helpful. -If you continue your school, you see your progress. (General truth) -When I get your weekly lessons, I always feel thrilled. (routine) -If the weather is good tomorrow, I will go to the park for a walk. (probability) -If you follow your trainer’s advice, you will get benefits from it. (Positive consequence) If you don’t work hard on your goal, you will not get better results. (negative consequence) -If you vacuum, I will do the laundry. (Promise) -If you don’t care about your school, I will …  Read more »

Great work, Nasrin! I love these examples and you got them exactly right. Just for a challenge, in this example can you think of another way or a synonym to use for the words ‘not get better’: “If you don’t work hard on your goal, you will get ____________ results.”

Thanks Annemarie for the feedback, that’s so good to understand my mistakes and redo it. How about this sentence: “If you don’t work hard on your goal, you will get minimum results.”

Hi Annemarie,

If I wake up late, I haven’t breakfast. If I go to work tomorrow, I’ll not go to the party with you.

Great, Deise. Thanks for sharing your examples. There’s one change we want to make in the first sentence. In the second part, there is a negative and for that we need a helping verb in English: “If I wake up late, I _____ not have breakfast.”

• When I connect my laptop in the morning to telecommuting the first thing I do is clock in.
• If I read more in English, I will learn more vocabulary and expressions
• If I finish my project by Friday, my boss will be thrilled

Wonderful examples, Marta! And I hope you get your project finished. 😊

I will join you in the park if I finish my homework / when I finish my homework I will join you in the park. If she explains the situation well I will let her go with her boyfriend If I do 30 min. Exercises everyday, I will have a better health If you finish your homework on time I will allow you to watch your favorite show on TV for 30min If you don’t finish the vegetables in your plate, you won’t allowed to eat ice cream later for dessert If you don’t do your chores you won’t get …  Read more »

When I wake up early I join the 6am yoga class online.

When I finish my goals I feel satisfied

Hi Annemarie, here it is my homework……

If I don’t run early in the morning, I become angry and nervous When I listen to ANnemarie’s lessons with more concentration, I’ll improve my English rapidly If I don’t do the simple things well, I won’t be able to get the world better

Best Tommaso

If you finish succesfully the project on time, you will be promoted as Project Director.

Hi Annemarie, me too hated math, my mind was more creative than rational, so i imagined the numbers like little spiteful goblins 😉 Anyway,these are my examples: 1) When fall comes, the leaves fall 2) If I cook lasagna for dinner, my husband will be happy 3) If you go out without your coat, you will get a cold

Thank you so much for this possibility to understand and put into practice these two types of conditional <3

If I apply all that you teach in English, I will be easily fluent in speaking English.

Okay! If I don’t finish my homework today, I can’t have my relaxtime tonight! When I wake up in the morning, I have meditation time. If it will raining again, I will not go to visit Central Park in this afternoon.

Great examples, Cinzia! One little note, “If it will raining…” For the first conditional we want to use “If + present simple” so what adjustment could make to the verb?

Great, but there’s a mistake in the second example:

• “If I’m too tired to cook tonight, I’ll some take-out. (first conditional)”

Zero Conditional: When the climb is hot, i like to go to the beach First Conditional: If i don’ t go to the job tomorrow, i will study english and watch some series.

Thanks for this great post. I think, in your last example: “We will compromise on the costs if you will agree to our terms of service.”, there is an extra will

Thank you! you helped me alot

We are so glad to hear that! You are very welcome!

Hi ! thanks a lot for your help . I would like to know if it’s possible to say “If I put water on fire it may stop burning . Instead of will can we put ” may” or “can” . Here , I mean just a cup of water on a fire

Hellooooo!!! I am very sorry. I got problem with my smart phone, but, “better late than never”. Sorry to me.

According to this amazing lesson, this is what I can share with you: – If I get money, I will travel to England. – If you go slowly, you will arrive safely – If he takes care of this car, he will go to India

Thanks so much for sharing your examples, Felix! I’m glad the lesson was useful to you. Well done!

Dear Annemarie, Thank you for your great job about how we can use conditionals in our daly English practise. I’m happy to repeat some grammar too. Here are my sentences. General truth: If the architect makes mistakes, the hause collapses. If the teacher places higher expectations on students, they will rise in occasion and excell in school. Talking about routins: If time permits, I go to work by bike. First conditional-probability: If it hails tomorow, all the sidewalk will slide. If it real happens, some of the passengers will meet with accident, and the casualty wards will be crowded. Future …  Read more »

Thanks so much for sharing your examples, András. And I’m glad the lesson was useful to you!!

Could you clarify what you mean by “If it real happens…” –> I’m not sure what might happen here.

Best, Annemarie

If it hails tomorow, all the sidewalk will slide. If it really happens, some of the passengers will meet with accident, and the casualty wards will be crowded. So is better? The second sentence refers to the first eventuality. 🙂 Andras

Ah, that you for clarifying. As sidewalk cannot slide, but people can slide on a sidewalk. We would say, “If it hails tomorrow, people might slide (we more often use the word “slip”) and fall on the sidewalk. It is the fall that may cause an injury.

Dear Annemarie, thank you a lot for great lesson and especially for workplace examples. My zero conditional is: When I get up early in the morning I make a cup of cofee When I work hard I receive better result My first conditional is: If you send me full package of documents we will receive the products on time If I take into account all requests I will make a profitable deal

Excellent. It seems like you’ve understand the difference between the Zero and First Conditionals with your examples. Well done. And thank you for sharing! ~ Annemarie

Hello Yulia,

Excellent examples using the zero and first conditionals. Just one note: don’t forget to use the comma. That is an important punctuation to use in conditionals. Where would you put a comma in your examples?

If you sit up very late, you feel sleep-deprived next day.

When my uncle break his leg, he has cast put on.

Anna will go to work earlier if her mother dismisses her from some of the morning assignments.

Their acquaintances will go through a rough patch if they change their attitude to certain issues.

I won’t help you if you don’t stop being so mean.

Hello Anetta, Thank you for sharing your examples! I love the last example as a warning. A few notes: 1. With sentences 3 and 4, I understand that you feel these situations are likely since you’re using the first conditional. Is that correct? If you feel they are unlikely, then we would switch to the second conditional. 2. The phrasal verb “sit up” means to sit with your back very straight. I think you might mean to “stay up” which means to stay up past one’s normal bedtime. 3. With sentence 2, this sounds like something that happened only one …  Read more »

your generosity is uncountable, you are doing really great job. You have taken the level of my english to another stage, I am smitten to your leasons. Thanks abundanly keep up the great job……..

Zero conditionals: if i dont play football, i get bored if i sleep long, i became very tired…

First conditionals: If I struggle hard, I will be successful in life. If I read your leasons always, I will be great in english language like I wish.

Thank you for your lessons, first of all 🙂

I would like to share some sentences from my daily life 🙂

Zero sentences maybe could be these:

I sleep more, when Saturday comes. If I come sleep late, I am tired in the morning.

First sentences:

If I work harder, I will earn more money. I will got with you to the theater, if you ask me. 🙂

Dear Rasa – Thank you so much for your comments. I am thrilled you enjoy the online lessons. Great examples of the zero and first conditional! For “If I come to sleep late, I am tired in the morning.” –> We use the verb “go to” with sleep. We can say, “If I go to sleep late, I am tired in the morning.” This is a good example of a personal truth. Great job! Your examples for the first conditional are perfect. These are great examples of: Truth: If I work harder … Promise: I will go with you to …  Read more »

What you are doing here is amazing!!! Your effort and your way to teach are incredible. Thanks a lot!!! It works, perfectly works for me! What I want to learn is -hopefully you have in next sessions- that “how to be kind to your friends and also to professional connections.” For me it is a bit challenging to express myself as a kind person in English in a casual way and in a professional way. Because it is enough just to change the tone of voice to be king in my native language (Turkish). I am looking forward to seeing …  Read more »

Not to be king but to be kind 🙂

Dear Bahar –

What a kind and generous comment! Thank you so much. I am really happy to know you find these lessons useful.

I love your suggestion! It is a very interesting topic for many people I think. How we express kindness or politeness can be very different among languages and cultures. I will certainly add it to my list for future lessons! Would it be ok to email you with some questions to make sure I provide the best answer for you?

Thanks so much Bahar!

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Which one is correct? "I finished my homework yesterday." or "I had finished my homework yesterday."?

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I finished my homework yesterday.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the completion of homework the day before.

• I finished my homework yesterday, so I could relax in the evening.
• She finished her homework yesterday and went out with her friends.
• Did you finish your homework yesterday?
• He always finishes his homework on time.
• We finished our homework yesterday morning.

Alternatives:

• I completed my homework yesterday.
• I did my homework yesterday.
• Yesterday, I finished my homework.
• My homework was finished yesterday.
• Yesterday, my homework was completed.

I had finished my homework yesterday.

This phrase is correct and is used when referring to an action that was completed before another past action or point in time.

• I had finished my homework yesterday when you called.
• She had finished her homework yesterday before going to bed.
• Had you finished your homework yesterday before the teacher collected it?
• He had finished his homework yesterday by the time I arrived.
• By yesterday afternoon, I had finished my homework.
• I had completed my homework yesterday.
• Yesterday, I had finished my homework.
• My homework had been finished yesterday.
• Yesterday, my homework had been completed.
• I had done my homework yesterday.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

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if I finished, I would play [2nd conditional]

• Thread starter colum4
• Start date May 6, 2013

Senior Member

• May 6, 2013

Hi, When I say : if I finished my homework today, I would play cards. Does it mean I will never finish my homework today? Thank you.  

Liam Lew's

Hi, I think it would mean that the probability of finishing your homework is low and therefore the probability of playing cards is also low. It does not exclude playing cards and finishing homework.  

• May 9, 2013

Liam Lew's said: Hi, I think it would mean that the probability of finishing your homework is low and therefore the probability of playing cards is also low. It does not exclude playing cards and finishing homework. Click to expand...

Hi colum4, I don't know whether the two sentences have the same meaning, but the second one does not make sense to me and sounds a bit odd to me. It's an unreal condition. The main clause expresses that the probability of finishing your homework is really high. And the subordinate clause refers to a low probability. Why don't you use a normal 1st conditional. If I finish my homework, I will play cards. This sentence implies, that it's very likely to finish your homework and when you have finished it you will play cards. I think you could also use "when" instead of "if" in this sentence. I would do it that way. I think if you use when, it would be sure that you finish your homework. Let's wait for a native speaker's opinion on the comparison of the meaning of the sentences.  

Liam Lew's said: Hi colum4, I don't know whether the two sentences have the same meaning, but the second one does not make sense to me and sounds a bit odd to me. It's an unreal condition. The main clause expresses that the probability of finishing your homework is really high. And the subordinate clause refers to a low probability. Why don't you use a normal 1st conditional. If I finish my homework, I will play cards. This sentence implies, that it's very likely to finish your homework and when you have finished it you will play cards. I think you could also use "when" instead of "if" in this sentence. I would do it that way. I think if you use when, it would be sure that you finish your homework. Let's wait for a native speaker's opinion on the comparison of the meaning of the sentences. Click to expand...

As Liam Lew's says, "if I finish my homework today, I will play cards" is fine, connoting that there is a reasonable chance that I will in fact finish my homework today. "If I finished my homework today, I would play cards" is also fine, but implies that it is not likely that I will finish my homework today.  

Hi, " If I finish my homework today, I will play cards" For me it means that if you want to play cards you have to finish your homework first. And changing it to " When I finish my homework... " means that you will definitely finish your homework so that you can play cards afterwards. Just my two cents.  

ron1759 said: As Liam Lew's says, "if I finish my homework today, I will play cards" is fine, connoting that there is a reasonable chance that I will in fact finish my homework today. "If I finished my homework today, I would play cards" is also fine, but implies that it is not likely that I will finish my homework today. Click to expand...

• May 10, 2013

colum4 said: Hi, In this thread in #1 http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=406920,there is a sentence: We would be grateful if you CHECK the dates... Is it right? Thank you. Click to expand...

I agree that If I finish my homework today, I would play cards sounds odd. It is not easy to think of a natural sentence which mixes a first conditional with would in the dependent clause. But turn it into a request and it doesn't sound strange to me: Would you play cards with me if I finish my homework today? (or If I finish...would you play cards? ). One could also equally say will you play cards? But in the other sentence I would say We would be grateful if you checked/you would/could check the dates , not if you check . However, the rules are not set in stone and they are based ultimately on what people say on the whole, and the problem is that it is not easy to find comprehensive instances of spoken English, unlike written English.  

e2efour said: But in the other sentence I would say We would be grateful if you checked/you would/could check the dates , not if you check . Click to expand...

I finished my homework. 和 I have finished my homework. 的差別在哪裡？如果不好說明，請提供一些例句。

"I finished my homework" = Simple past tense. The event is over and done with. It is all in the past. "I finished my homework last night, so I can sleep late this morning." (the two event are separated. Last night and this morning) "I have finished my homework" = Present perfect tense. The event started in the past and still has a connection to the present. Maybe you just now finished your homework and you are announcing it, or you mother told you to finish before you can play video games, so finishing your homework means you can play video games now. The recent past affects the present. The present perfect is always used with words like always, never, today, in my life, this week, etc. "I have always wanted to visit Japan, but I have never been there." "I have visited Japan three times in my life." "I have read three books this week."

• 為什麼你認為是"嗯..."呢?
• 你的意見並不會顯示給其他用戶

There's no meaningful difference.

• I have just finished my homework 和 I just finished my homework 的差別在哪裡？
• 做作业 。做练习。刷题。 除了do homework,do some exercise用 英語 (美國) 要怎麼說？
• I have to do my homework 和 I must do my homework 的差別在哪裡？
• I feel sorry for 和 l feel sorry about 的差別在哪裡？
• How about going to the park? 和 How about go to the park? 的差別在哪裡？
• I will lend you this book after I have finished it. 和 I will lend this book after I finish it. 的差...
• around ten o'clock 和 about ten o'clock 的差別在哪裡？
• the man wearing glasses is looking at a laptop screen. 和 the man with glasses is looking at a lap...
• 鰥夫 和 寡夫 的差別在哪裡？
• 趕緊 和 趕快 的差別在哪裡？
• 一陣子 和 暫時 的差別在哪裡？
• 叮囑 和 囑咐 的差別在哪裡？
• 那個 和 內個 的差別在哪裡？
• わたしは 和 わたしが 的差別在哪裡？
• 家から遠ざかる Hey, we are 家から遠ざかってない？用 英語 (美國) 要怎麼說？

這個標誌代表你有興趣的語言的程度到哪裡，幫助回答者提供和程度相對應的回答。

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• I finished my homework....

By the time you arrive, I ___ (finish) my homework.

A. will have finished

B. will be finishing

C. will finish

D. have finished

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