[Grammar] I already finished my homework one hour ago.

[kadioguy]

[My original conversation]

Sister: Why are you sitting here, watching television?

Little Jim:

a. I already finished my homework one hour ago.

b. I have already finished my homework for one hour.

c. I have already finished my homework.

d. It has been one hour since I finished my homework.
----

I think that (a), (c), and (d) are correct.

1. Is that right?

2. Which is most natural and which is least natural between them?

 

[Skrej]

A, C, and D are all grammatically correct, yes. C is the most natural response in that context.

It would also be a bit more natural to replace 'one' with 'an' in A. It's difficult to envision how D could be used as a response in that same context.

 

[GoesStation]

It would also be a bit more natural to replace 'one' with 'an' in A

… and to contract I have and it has to "I've" and "it's".

 

[emsr2d2]

I wouldn't use the present perfect or include "already" in a. I'd word that as "I finished my homework an hour ago".

 

[kadioguy]

I'd word that as "I finished my homework an hour ago".

I would like to express something like "I finished it an hour ago. I did it sooner than you think (I did it a long time ago)." That's why I used "already" in (a). If you don't mind, could you please tell me how to say that better?

 

[GoesStation]

I would like to express something like "I finished it an hour ago. I did it sooner than you think (I did it a long time ago)." That's why I used "already" in (a). If you don't mind, could you please tell me how to say that better?

"I just finished it an hour ago."

 

[emsr2d2]

"I just finished it an hour ago."

That wouldn't work in BrE. "I just finished it" means you finished it in the last few minutes. It doesn't collocate with "an hour ago".

 

[kadioguy]

That wouldn't work in BrE. "I just finished it" means you finished it in the last few minutes. It doesn't collocate with "an hour ago".

Then how can we say it in BrE? ("I finished it an hour ago. I did it sooner than you think.")

 

[jutfrank]

I think you should say:

I finished my homework an hour ago.

The mention of the fact that it was done an hour ago is enough to make it clear to your sister that it was a long time ago.