Ya he enviado el correo.

I have already sent the email.

Breakdown of Ya he enviado el correo.

• yo: I
• ya: already
• el correo: the email
• haber enviado: to have sent

Questions & Answers about Ya he enviado el correo.

What does the word Ya add here?

It adds the idea of already. So Ya he enviado el correo = I have already sent the email. Without ya (just He enviado el correo), it’s neutral; ya emphasizes completion, often sooner than expected or as a reassurance.

• Positive: ya = already
• Negative contrast: todavía no / aún no = not yet
• Different meaning: ya no = no longer/anymore (not used here)

Why is it He enviado and not Envié? Which one should I use in Spain?

Both are correct, but usage differs:

• In Spain, the present perfect (he enviado) is very common for actions connected to the present or within a time frame that includes now (today, this morning, this year).
  • Example: Hoy ya he enviado el correo.
• The preterite (envié) is preferred for finished time frames (yesterday, last week).
  • Example: Ayer ya envié el correo.
• In much of Latin America, ya envié is common even for today. In Spain, ya he enviado often sounds more natural if it happened today.

Does correo mean email or postal mail?