Read the following questions and answers.
- Have you closed the doors and windows?
- No I haven’t closed the doors and windows yet. I will close them presently.
Notes
In British English, presently can mean ‘in a minute’. In American English, presently is only used to mean ‘at present’.
- Has he informed his parents?
- No, he has not informed his parents yet. He will inform them immediately.
Exercise
Form similar responses to the questions given below using the clues given in the brackets.
1. Have you met the girl? (in a short while)
2. Have the boys received their prizes? (tomorrow)
3. Has your tenant vacated the house? (in a week’s time)
4. Have they paid the fee? (next week)
5. Have you sent that letter? (tomorrow)
6. Has she finished the job? (by the end of this week)
7. Has the maid swept the floor? (presently)
8. Have they launched the new project? (in a few days)
Answers
1. No, I haven’t met the girl yet. I will meet her in a short while.
2. No, the boys haven’t received their prizes yet. They will receive them tomorrow.
3. No, my tenant hasn’t vacated the house yet. He will vacate it in a week’s time.
4. No, they haven’t paid the fee yet. They will pay it next week.
5. No, I haven’t sent that letter. I will send it tomorrow.
6. No, she hasn’t finished the job. She will finish it by the end of this week.
7. No, the maid hasn’t swept the floor. She will sweep it presently.
8. No, they haven’t launched the new project. They will launch it in a few days.
