have you finished the homework

Did You vs. Have You

What's the difference.

"Did you" and "have you" are both interrogative phrases used to ask questions in English. However, they differ in terms of tense and the type of information they seek. "Did you" is used to inquire about past actions or events, while "have you" is used to inquire about present or ongoing actions or states. For example, "Did you go to the store yesterday?" asks about a specific action that occurred in the past, while "Have you finished your homework?" asks about the current status of completing a task.

Further Detail

Introduction.

When it comes to English grammar, understanding the differences between different verb tenses is crucial. Two commonly used verb tenses that often confuse English learners are "Did You" and "Have You." While both verb forms are used to ask questions, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of "Did You" and "Have You" to help you gain a better understanding of their usage.

Usage of "Did You"

"Did You" is a past tense verb form that is used to ask questions about completed actions or events. It is commonly used to inquire about someone's past experiences, actions, or habits. For example:

• Did you go to the party last night?
• Did you finish your homework?
• Did you enjoy your vacation?

As seen in the examples, "Did You" is used to ask about specific actions or events that occurred in the past. It is important to note that "Did You" is always followed by the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject. This makes it a straightforward verb form to use when asking questions about the past.

Usage of "Have You"

"Have You" is a present perfect tense verb form that is used to ask questions about past actions or events that have a connection to the present. It is commonly used to inquire about someone's experiences, actions, or achievements up until now. For example:

• Have you ever traveled to Europe?
• Have you finished your work for today?
• Have you seen the latest movie?

As seen in the examples, "Have You" is used to ask about someone's experiences or actions that have relevance to the present moment. It implies that the action or event happened at an unspecified time before now. The use of "Have You" indicates that the action or event may have occurred multiple times or is still ongoing.

Forming Questions with "Did You"

When forming questions with "Did You," the auxiliary verb "did" is used to indicate the past tense, while the main verb remains in its base form. The subject of the sentence comes before the auxiliary verb "did." For example:

• Did you eat dinner?
• Did you watch the game?
• Did you call your friend?

As shown in the examples, the subject "you" is followed by the auxiliary verb "did," and then the base form of the verb. This structure is consistent regardless of the subject, making it easy to construct questions using "Did You."

Forming Questions with "Have You"

When forming questions with "Have You," the auxiliary verb "have" is used to indicate the present perfect tense, while the main verb remains in its base form. The subject of the sentence comes before the auxiliary verb "have." For example:

• Have you visited the museum?
• Have you finished your project?
• Have you read the book?

As demonstrated in the examples, the subject "you" is followed by the auxiliary verb "have," and then the base form of the verb. This structure is consistent regardless of the subject, making it easy to construct questions using "Have You."

Key Differences

While both "Did You" and "Have You" are used to ask questions, there are key differences in their usage:

• "Did You" is used to ask about specific actions or events that occurred in the past, while "Have You" is used to ask about past actions or events that have a connection to the present.
• "Did You" is always followed by the base form of the verb, while "Have You" is also followed by the base form of the verb.
• "Did You" is used to inquire about completed actions or events, while "Have You" is used to inquire about experiences, actions, or achievements up until now.
• "Did You" is commonly used to ask about someone's past habits or routines, while "Have You" is used to ask about someone's experiences or actions that have relevance to the present moment.

Understanding the differences between "Did You" and "Have You" is essential for effective communication in English. While "Did You" is used to ask about specific past actions or events, "Have You" is used to ask about past actions or events that have a connection to the present. By grasping the nuances of these verb forms, you can confidently ask questions and engage in meaningful conversations. So, next time you want to inquire about someone's experiences or actions, remember to choose between "Did You" and "Have You" based on the context and time frame you want to refer to.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

Questions in Present Perfect Tense with Examples

Published by

Olivia Drake

Summary:   To ask in present perfect, combine “Have/Has” with the subject and past participle. Insert “yet” for recent actions and lead with “How long” for durations. Negatives are formed with “Haven’t/Hasn’t.” Reply with “Yes” or “No,” followed by the appropriate auxiliary verb.

On this page:

Question Forms in Present Perfect

Questions in the present perfect tense are used to ask about actions or situations that have relevance to the present moment. These questions can refer to experiences, changes, or actions completed at an unspecified time before now. Here’s how they are typically structured:

• To ask about general experiences: Have/Has + subject + past participle of the verb?
• Have you ever been to New York?
• Has she tried sushi before?
• Have they finished their homework yet?
• To inquire if an action has occurred up to the present: Have/Has + subject + past participle of the verb + yet?
• Have you eaten yet?
• Has the mail arrived yet?
• Have they called you yet?
• To ask about the duration of a situation or action that started in the past and continues to the present: How long + have/has + subject + been + present participle (verb-ing)?
• How long have you been working here?
• How long has it been raining?
• How long have they been living in that house?
• To form positive and negative questions:

Positive: – Have you seen the new movie?

Negative: – Haven’t you seen the new movie?

These structures allow for a wide range of questions about past actions with present significance, from general experiences and specific occurrences to the duration of ongoing actions.

It’s important to know that the present perfect tense is used with specific time expressions that signal an unfinished time period or a connection to the present. Some common time expressions used with the present perfect tense are: already, recently, yet, ever, never, just, still, and so far.

Yes or No Questions

In the present perfect tense, yes or no questions are formed by starting with the auxiliary verb ‘have’ or ‘has’ followed by the subject, and then the past participle of the main verb. Remember, the present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past but have relevance or connection to the present moment.

To form a yes or no question in the present perfect tense, follow this pattern:

(Have/Has) + Subject + Past Participle + ?

• Have you visited Paris?
• Has she finished her homework?
• Have they already eaten dinner?

In order to answer these questions, use the auxiliary verb and an appropriate subject pronoun, followed by either ‘already’ or ‘not yet’, depending on the situation:

• Positive Response : Yes, (I/you/he/she/it/we/they) have/has already.
• Negative Response : No, (I/you/he/she/it/we/they) have/has not yet.

For example:

• Yes, I have already visited Paris.
• No, she has not yet finished her homework.

Keep in mind that when using contractions, the answers may be:

• Yes, I’ve already.
• No, she hasn’t yet.
• Practice forming yes or no questions in the present perfect tense to become more efficient and confident in your usage of this verb tense.

Wh-Questions

In the present perfect tense, forming wh-questions is quite simple.

First, let’s talk about how to form basic wh-questions. You need to begin your sentence with a wh-word such as  who, what, when, where, why, or how . Following the wh-word, insert the auxiliary verb “ have ” or “ has ,” depending on the subject of the sentence. Next, place the subject, and finally, add the past participle of the main verb.

• What have you eaten?
• Where has she traveled?

In case you want to ask a question about the subject of the sentence, just use the appropriate wh-word followed by the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” and the past participle. Remember that in this case, the subject doesn’t appear in the question.

For example: Who has won the game? (instead of “John has won the game.”)

To form wh-questions that involve negation, place “not” after the auxiliary verb “have” or “has.”

For example: Why have you not finished your project?

Using Adverbs in Present Perfect Questions

When constructing present perfect questions, adverbs play an essential role in communicating the intended meaning. Adverbs can help specify the time duration, frequency, or manner of an action.

Another common adverb is “ever,” used to emphasize the open-endedness of a question. For instance, “ Have  you  ever  met a celebrity?” In this case, “ever” modifies the verb “met” and indicates the action is not confined to a specific time frame.

For adverbs of frequency, such as “always,” “usually,” “often,” or “rarely,” they generally come before the main verb. An example is “ Has  she  always  preferred tea over coffee?” Here, “always” acts as an adverb of frequency describing the main verb “preferred.”

Present perfect questions involving adverbs of manner include “how,” “why,” or “in what way.” For example, “ Have  they  danced  professionally before, and if so,  how  did they learn?” In this case, “how” is the adverb related to the action “learn.”

Present Perfect Questions with “How Long”

Present perfect questions with “how long” are used to ask about the duration of an action or situation that started in the past and continues up to the present. Here are some examples:

• How long have you lived here?
• How long have they been married?
• How long has she been working at that company?
• How long have we been waiting for the bus?
• How long have you known each other?
• How long has he been studying English?
• How long have you been feeling this way?
• How long have they been building the house?
• How long has the store been open?

When forming these questions, the structure usually follows this pattern:

How long + have/has + subject + been + present participle (verb-ing)?

This structure helps to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action or situation from the past through to the present moment.

Present Perfect Questions with “Ever”

A present perfect question with “ever” is used to ask about experiences at any time up to now. It follows this structure:

– Have/Has + subject + ever + past participle of the verb?

Here are some examples:

• Have you ever traveled to Italy?
• Has she ever eaten sushi?
• Have we ever met before?
• Has he ever run a marathon?
• Have they ever seen a shooting star?
• These questions inquire about life experiences without specifying when they happened, emphasizing any point in the person’s life up to the present moment.

Questions with “Yet” in Present Perfect

Questions with “yet” in the present perfect tense are typically used to ask about actions or events that are expected to happen but have not occurred up to the present moment. They often imply a sense of expectation or anticipation. The structure for these questions is:

– Have/Has + subject + past participle of the verb + yet?

• Have you finished your homework yet?
• Has she arrived at the party yet?
• Have they decided on a name for the baby yet?
• Has he submitted the report yet?
• Have we received the test results yet?

These questions are common in conversational English and are used to inquire about the completion or occurrence of an action or event as of now.

Common Present Perfect Questions and Answers

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions or events that have happened at an unspecified time before now or that began in the past and continue to the present. In this section, we will discuss commonly asked questions and their answers in the present perfect tense.

One typical type of question in the present perfect is asking about life experiences. For example:

Has she traveled to Spain?

• Yes, she has traveled to Spain.
• No, she hasn’t traveled to Spain.

Another common question is asking about the completion of activities:

Have they finished their project?

• Yes, they have finished their project.
• No, they haven’t finished their project.

In some cases, the present perfect is used to ask about the number of times an action has occurred:

How many times has he watched that movie?

• He has watched that movie three times.

When inquiring about changes or effects from the past that still have an impact on the present, the present perfect is used:

Has the weather improved since this morning?

• Yes, the weather has improved since this morning.
• No, the weather hasn’t improved since this morning.

It’s also worth noting that questions in the present perfect often include time-related phrases such as “ever,” “never,” “since,” and “for.” For example:

Has she ever been to a concert?

• Yes, she has been to a concert.
• No, she has never been to a concert.

How long have they lived in this house?

• They have lived in this house for 10 years.

These examples show various ways to form questions and their answers in the present perfect tense. The key is understanding the context and appropriately using the correct verbs, pronouns, and time-related phrases.

Present Perfect Positive and Negative Questions

Present perfect positive and negative questions are used to inquire about actions or situations with a focus on different outcomes. Here’s how they’re typically formed:

Positive Questions: – Have/Has + subject + past participle of the verb?

Negative Questions: – Haven’t/Hasn’t + subject + past participle of the verb?

Positive Questions:

• Have you completed your assignment?
• Has she traveled to France?
• Have they heard the news?
• Has he found his keys?
• Have we met before?

Negative Questions:

• Haven’t you completed your assignment?
• Hasn’t she traveled to France?
• Haven’t they heard the news?
• Hasn’t he found his keys?
• Haven’t we met before?

Positive questions seek confirmation of an action or experience, while negative questions often imply surprise or expectation that the action should have been completed or experienced.

Present Perfect Questions Examples

Sentence: I have read three novels this month. Question: Have you read three novels this month?

Sentence: We have consulted with the board of directors about this matter. Question: Have you consulted with the board of directors about this matter?

Sentence: They have never seen such a warm winter in their hometown before. Question: Have they never seen such a warm winter in their hometown before?

Sentence: The scientists have unveiled a new species of frog in the Amazon rainforest. Question: Have the scientists unveiled a new species of frog in the Amazon rainforest?

Sentence: I have considered starting my own business for several months. Question: Have you considered starting your own business for several months?

Sentence: We have felt unwell since returning from our trip last week. Question: Have you felt unwell since returning from your trip last week?

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Related Articles:

• Present Perfect Tense: How to Use It
• Present Perfect Negative Sentences with Examples
• Present Perfect Sentences with Examples
• Past Simple vs Present Perfect: A Clear Comparison Guide
• Present Perfect vs Past Perfect: Understanding the Key Differences

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Difference between "are you done" and "have you done."

I was just wondering, how can we differentiate "are you done?" and "have you done?", and what is the appropriate way to use each?

• differences
• present-perfect
• present-tense

• possible duplicate of How do the tenses in English correspond temporally to one another? –  JSBձոգչ Commented Jul 13, 2011 at 13:37
• Sorry to step in, but this question puzzles me as well... just as a matter of clarification, can we say that 'are you done?' is similar to 'have you finished?' but the first one is usually followed by with + noun or -ing form, and the second by object or ing form? Thank you in advance! –  user18274 Commented Mar 6, 2012 at 9:54

3 Answers 3

"Are you done" asks about whether you have finished something that you have started. "Have you done" also asks if you have finished, but whether you have even started is uncertain.

("Are you done" can also be used in a "correcting" or "accusatory" way, where the asker knows full well you haven't started and that is the point he is trying to make. But that is not the normal case.)

When asking "Have you done?", you are asking if the person did something in the past which could continue to the present or have some implications to the present.

"Are you done?", on the other hand, actually means "have you finished?". That is, you are asking if the person completed the action started in the past (even though such action may also have implications to the present).

"Are you done" is used when asking a person if he or she has finished doing something. The thing that is being done is known.

Are you done with washing the toilet?

"Have you done" is asked when the thing being done is not known, and the person is inquiring as to what the thing is.

What exactly have you done to my car?

So, if you want to ask if someone has finished doing something, used "are you done?", or "have you finished?" , but not "have you done?"

Use "have you done" when asking about something that has happened, and you don't know. e.g. What have you done to him?

• 1 What about, "Have you done the dishes yet?" vs. "Are you done with the dishes yet?" Don't these both fit your explanation for "are you done?" –  Eri Commented Jul 13, 2011 at 4:46

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged grammar differences present-perfect present-tense or ask your own question .

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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?

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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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"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.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged difference perfect-constructions participial-adjectives ..

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How to Finish Your Homework

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA . Emily Listmann is a Private Tutor and Life Coach in Santa Cruz, California. In 2018, she founded Mindful & Well, a natural healing and wellness coaching service. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. Emily also received her Wellness Coach Certificate from Cornell University and completed the Mindfulness Training by Mindful Schools. There are 16 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 282,597 times.

While studying can differ for different age groups, many of the things that get in the way are the same. Whether it's your environment or time management skills, it easy for things to discourage you from finishing your homework. With a little organization and help, your homework can become approachable.

Managing Your Time

• For instance, try setting aside a time you know you can work well such as an hour or 2 before dinner, or if you're a night owl, after dinner.

• Work in hour blocks, with 50 minutes spent studying and 10 minutes spent taking a break.
• It can also be helpful to move around when you are taking your break, especially if you are working at a screen. Go for a walk outside to get your blood circulating and enjoy some fresh air.
• You might also want to eat a healthy snack on your break to improve your focus. Avoid junk food and choose something like a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, veggies, or a small portion of cottage cheese.

• Identify which assignments are worth the most points for each class. Most likely these will take the longest to complete. [5] X Research source
• Consider how long you have to do each project, and if possible, see when the assignment is introduced. Oftentimes, primary and secondary school classes do not have syllabi, so it might be harder to plan out an entire term, but if you are in college, you will most likely have a syllabus with at least a partial course schedule. Knowing how long you have to complete an assignment will help you prioritize which assignments to do first. You can also ask the teacher how long you have to complete an assignment. [6] X Research source

• Use highlighters or stickers to mark which assignments are most important.
• If you're using an online or mobile schedule, create alerts or notifications for the projects and any time-sensitive steps for those projects.

• Don't let a big project overshadow the smaller assignments you need to complete!

• Assignment outlines can help you visualize the necessary tasks to get the assignment done.

Creating a Productive Work Environment

• A desk or table would be a better location than a couch or a bed.

• Turn your phone off or on silent (not vibrate). It might be best to put the phone out of sight, or in another room while you work, as the temptation to text or get on social media can be as much of a distraction as actually using social media.
• Use an app that blocks social media. There are plenty of applications out there that can help block social media and other distracting sites (such as shopping or gaming sites). [10] X Trustworthy Source Pew Research Center Nonpartisan thinktank conducting research and providing information on public opinion, demographic trends, and social trends Go to source

• Use a white noise app to block out noise.
• Use earplugs or noise-blocking earmuffs. [12] X Research source
• Work in a quiet place, such as a library or a home office, if you have one.
• Avoid listening to music while studying. Studies have shown that although listening to music while studying lowers overall performance, this does not affect everyone equally. [13] X Research source However listening to music before studying has been shown to improve performance on cognitive tasks. [14] X Research source

Using Your Resources

• If you're too afraid to ask a teacher during class, see if you can stay behind to ask your questions.

• First, contact your school to see if there are any after-school tutoring programs. While not all primary and secondary schools offer tutoring, a vast majority of universities do. If your school does not offer tutoring, they may know of other resources for you to contact.
• Then, contact your library to see if they offer any tutoring. [18] X Research source
• In some areas, there may also be free community tutoring programs. Contact your local community center for more information.
• There are plenty of private tutors out there as well, but they can be costly (ranging from $20 to $100 an hour). [19] X Research source You can find tutors online through a number of websites, such as Craigslist or Angie's list.

• If you need to work at a library after school, ask your parents or search the web to find your local library.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

• Don't feel too stressed or you'll be doing less work than you actually can. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 3
• Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3
• Maintain a healthy diet. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 3

• Recommended time doing homework varies by age. The National PTA recommends about 10 minutes per grade level per night (30 minutes a night for the third grade). Thanks Helpful 9 Not Helpful 0
• Some people may need additional help in order to focus on their homework and finish it. If you are struggling in school, ask your parents or teachers about what resources may be available, and seek out professional help or ask your parents to do so, if necessary. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 9
• If you are under the age of thirteen, you may need to obtain your parents’ permission before downloading any computer applications. Thanks Helpful 30 Not Helpful 13

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• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/power-habit-charles-duhigg
• ↑ https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks/
• ↑ https://www.wma.us/about/titan-blog/post/~board/titan-blog/post/how-to-prioritize-school-assignments-and-homework
• ↑ https://jhsap.org/self_help_resources/school-life_balance//
• ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
• ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/concentration
• ↑ https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html/
• ↑ https://absn.northeastern.edu/blog/8-things-to-keep-in-your-at-home-study-space/
• ↑ https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/171/
• ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.1731
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/talk-to-parents.html
• ↑ https://rdw.rowan.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2412&context=etd
• ↑ https://blogs.chapman.edu/scst/2016/02/09/what-tutoring-is-and-what-tutoring-is-not/
• ↑ https://undergrad.stanford.edu/tutoring-support

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

Coursework/GPA

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.

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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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• Ask a Teacher

Have you finished your homework (yet)?

• Thread starter Winwin2011
• Start date Jan 6, 2015
• Views : 18,946

Senior Member

• Jan 6, 2015

Have you finished your homework yet? Is there a difference if we leave out the 'yet' in the above sentence?  

Yes.  

bhaisahab said: Yes. Click to expand...

• Jan 7, 2015

Tarheel said: With "Have you finished your homework yet?" the implication is that if you haven't finished it you should have and you had better be about doing it. (What a difference one little word can make, eh?) Click to expand...

MikeNewYork

In that sentence, it is a simple question.  

Matthew Wai

'Have you finished your homework yet?' = 'Have you finished your homework which should have been finished by now?' Is it correct? Not a teacher.  

It is very wordy, Matthew.  

Have you received my email yet? Is there a difference if we leave out the 'yet' in the above sentence?  

Winwin2011 said: Have you received my email yet? Click to expand...

No Longer With Us (RIP)

• Jan 8, 2015

Yet in these questions makes things less neutral- it implies that something is wrong. Both questions are correct, but in most cases we make a change for a reason, and this is one of those cases. Sometimes an extra word doesn't change the meaning, but yet usually adds at least a shade of meaning, so there is generally a difference even though both forms work.  

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have you already finished / have you finished yet

• Thread starter cookie_bcn
• Start date Sep 25, 2006

Senior Member

• Sep 25, 2006

Hello!! Can we alternately use 'already' and 'yet' in questions with no meaning difference? E.g. Have you already finished your sandwich? Have you finished your sandwich yet? Would the first sentence be used with an exclamatory sense?? Thank you very much!!  

Have you finished your sandwich yet? Click to expand...

Have you already finished your sandwich? Click to expand...

pacadansc said: "yet" is probably more common in questions. "Have you finished your sandwich yet?"​ "Yes, I've already finished."​ "May I watch televistion for awhile?"​ "That depends. Have you finished your homework yet?"​ This has essentially the same meaning but might indicate some surprise. "Have you already finished your sandwich?"​ (I 've just given it to you, or you finished it so quickly, or I was just about to sit down and join you.) Click to expand...

• Sep 26, 2006

Thanks pacadansc for your answer!!  

cookie_bcn said: Hello!! Can we alternately use 'already' and 'yet' in questions with no meaning difference? E.g. Have you already finished your sandwich? Have you finished your sandwich yet? Would the first sentence be used with an exclamatory sense?? Thank you very much!! Click to expand...

ALREADY , is used for something happening sooner that expected. Click to expand...

(I've just given it to you, or you finished it so quickly, or I was just about to sit down and join you.) _______ I wanna learn how to speak english... Please correct me.. Yesterday 8/25 at 09:47 PM Click to expand...

pacadansc said: Yes, but not exclusively. For example: "Will you join me for lunch?" or "Ï'm just going out for a bite to eat. Will you join me? Here, at least, people eat at all different times, so there is no expectation of whether or not my friend has eaten. "No thanks, I've already had lunch." or "No thanks, I've already eaten." Yet, it is sooner ( to the action to have lunch) when the speaker asked him, the LISTENER. IIvy29 Click to expand...

• Jan 21, 2007

i heart queso

Hi, does it make any difference when we move the position of "already" to the end of the sentence? Have you finished your sandwich already? Click to expand...

No... I don't think so. Obviously if you said, "Have you finished your sandwich already ???", yes. But if both are said neutrally I see no difference. Click to expand...

• Jun 7, 2014

Whats the difference between Already and yet in questions?  

• Feb 3, 2015

Hello! I'd like to know what the differences are between these sentences: 1) Have you been to the bank yet? 2) Have you already been to the BANK? 3) Have you been to the bank already? 4) Have you been to the bank? 5) Haven't you been to the bank yet? 1) A general question asking someone whether they have been to the bank or not in the period of time up to now. 2) Like 1, but might be expressing surprise. 3) Expressing surprise ( may be wrong though) 4) Like 1 5) Expressing annoyance I've already had a discussion with a very helpful native about the use of yet and already in questions, but I'd like to hear other opinions. I am sorry I can't provide any more context, but there isn'the any, because they are sentences I got from a book. Cheers  

• Nov 3, 2018

Laupozo said: Whats the difference between Already and yet in questions? Click to expand...

TheCrociato91

ullas84 said: these sentences look so similar to me, are there any differences between them in meaning? Click to expand...

• either is simply aimed at finding out whether the interlocutor has completed the action of eating a sandwich
• or conveys a sense of annoyance at the interlocutor taking a long time to complete the action and still being not done with it
• Nov 28, 2018

ullas84 said: a)Have you finished your sandwich yet ? b)Have you already finished your sandwich? these sentences look so similar to me, are there any differences between them in meaning? Click to expand...

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These Common Phrases Said to Kids Are Actually Problematic

When it comes to talking with our kids, it's all too easy to slip into common phrases like "practice makes perfect" or "you're okay." But it turns out that not all of those go-to sayings are the most helpful. And while it might be impossible to never say these things to your child, it can be beneficial to know why those phrases aren't the most productive thing to hear.

Read on for 10 common sayings that may do more harm than good, why you should avoid saying them to your child, and what to say instead if you want to raise a happy child .

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"Great Job."

Research has shown that tossing out a generic compliment like "Good girl" or "Way to go" every time your child masters a skill makes them dependent on your affirmation rather than their own motivation, says Parents advisor Jenn Berman, PsyD, author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids . This is known as the self-deflation hypothesis which theorizes that excessive praise sets unrealistic standards and eventually lowers the child's self-esteem .

Instead of providing excessive and vague positive feedback whenever your child accomplishes something—save the kudos for when they're truly warranted and be as specific as you can. Being specific can help them realize For example, instead of "Super game," you can say, "That was a nice assist. I like how you looked for your teammate."

"Practice Makes Perfect."

While it's typically true that the more time your child devotes, the sharper their skills will become. The adage can also ramp up the pressure they feel to win or excel. "It sends the message that if you make mistakes, you didn't train hard enough," says Joel Fish, PhD, author of 101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent .

Instead, encourage your child to work hard because they'll improve and feel proud of their progress. They should focus on incremental milestones instead of perfection. For example, try saying " practice the piano so you can finish learning that song you love."

"You're Okay."

When your child scrapes their knee and bursts into tears, your instinct may be to reassure them that they're not badly hurt. But telling them they're fine may only make them feel worse. " Your kid is crying because they are not okay," says Dr. Berman.

In that moment you can best help your child by showing them how to understand and deal with their emotions, not discount them. Try giving them a hug and acknowledging what they're feeling by saying something like, "That was a scary fall." Then ask whether they'd like a bandage or a kiss—or both.

"Hurry Up!"

Your child dawdles over their breakfast , insists on tying their own sneakers (even though they haven't quite mastered the technique yet), and is on pace to be late for school… again. But pushing them to get a move on creates additional stress, says Linda Acredolo, PhD, coauthor of Baby Minds .

Soften your tone slightly and say, "Let's hurry," instead. This sends the message that the two of you are on the same team and both of you are trying to accomplish the same goal. You can reframe it as a task you both need to tackle, and make sure to ask if there's anything they might need help with that is preventing them from 'hurrying up.'

"I'm On a Diet."

If your child sees you stepping on the scale every day and hears you talking about food in relation to your body image, they may develop an unhealthy body image of their own, says Marc S. Jacobson, MD, professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at Nassau University Medical Center, in East Meadow, New York.

Instead, you can frame food as an essential component for energy and nutrition. Avoid using food as a reward and don't discuss food in relation to your body image. You should also stop labeling foods as "good" or "bad." This will help your child develop a healthy relationship with food and can prevent them from developing an eating disorder.

"We Can't Afford That."

It's easy to say "we can't afford that" when your child begs you for the latest toy , but doing so sends the message that you're not in control of your finances, which can be scary for kids, says Jayne Pearl, the author of Kids and Money .

Choose an alternative way to convey the same idea, such as, "We're not going to buy that because we're saving our money for more important things." If they insist on discussing it, you have a perfect window to start a conversation about how to budget and manage money. You can even help them learn budgeting by offering them money for chores and showing them how to manage their allowance.

"Don't Talk to Strangers."

This is a tough concept for a young child to grasp. Even if a person is unfamiliar, they may not think of them as a stranger if they're nice. Plus, kids may take this rule the wrong way and resist the help of emergency officials whom they don't know, says Nancy McBride, executive director for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Florida Regional Office, in Lake Park.

Instead of warning them about strangers, bring up scenarios, like "what would you do if a man you don't know offers you candy and a ride home?", and have them explain what they'd do. Once you know how they'd handle the situation, you can guide them to the proper course of action.

It's more important to teach your child about trusted adults or people they can reach out to when they are in trouble, such as a teacher, a neighbor, or a store clerk. It's more likely that a stranger will come to their aid than actually harm them—stranger abductions account for 1% of missing child cases.

"Be Careful."

Saying this while your child is balancing on the monkey bars actually makes them more likely to fall. "Your words distract them from what they're doing," says Deborah Carlisle Solomon, author of Baby Knows Best .

If you're feeling anxious, move close to spot them in case they take a tumble, being as still and quiet as you can. Let them maintain their focus and still provide support if needed.

"No Dessert Unless You Finish Dinner."

Avoid saying this at dinner as it increases a child's perceived value of the treat and diminishes their enjoyment of the meal itself, says Parents advisor David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children's Hospital and author of Ending the Food Fight. Foods should not be offered as a reward or withheld as punishment, imparting this mindset on your children sets them up for unhealthy eating habits.

Tweak your message along these lines: "First we eat our meal and then we have dessert." The wording change, though subtle, has a far more positive impact on your child.

"Let Me Help."

When your child is struggling to build a block tower or finish a puzzle , it's natural to want to give them a hand. Don't. "If you jump in too soon, that can undermine your child's independence," says Myrna Shure, PhD, professor emeritus of psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia and author of Raising a Thinking Child .

Instead, ask guiding questions to help them solve the problem: "Do you think the big piece or the little one should go at the bottom? Why do you think that? Let's give it a try." This will not only help foster their independence but also build confidence .

Key Takeaway

There are 10 sayings parents typically use that do more harm than good. These sayings are: "great job," "practice makes perfect," "you're okay," "hurry up," "I'm on a diet," "we can't afford that," "don't talk to strangers," "be careful," no dessert unless you finish dinner," and "let me help." These common phrases are not productive for your child to hear and may lead to more complicated issues such as disordered eating, lack of confidence, and lowered self-esteem.

When Parents' Praise Inflates, Children's Self-Esteem Deflates . Child Dev . 2017.

The Truth About Child Abduction Statistics in 2024 . Safeatlast . 2024.

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