still means nothing has changed (it's still raining). yet means up to now, in negatives and questions, and usually comes at the end (he hasn't arrived yet). already means sooner than expected (she's already here).
A still
still = something has not changed; it is the same as before.
An hour ago it was snowing. It is still snowing now.
- I've had two coffees, but I'm still sleepy. (= I was sleepy before and I'm sleepy now)
- "Did you sell your old bike?" "No, I've still got it."
- "Do you still work at the bank?" "No, I work at a school now."
B yet
yet = until now. Use it in negative sentences (He hasn't phoned yet.) and questions (Has he phoned yet?). It usually goes at the end of the sentence.
Half an hour ago they were waiting for Sam. They are still waiting. Sam hasn't arrived yet.
- "Where's Alice?" "She isn't here yet." (= she will come, but she hasn't come so far)
- "What are you doing on Saturday?" "I don't know yet." (= I'll know later)
- "Are you ready yet?" "Not yet. Give me two minutes."
- "Have you finished with the laptop yet?" "No, I'm still using it."
C yet and still compared
A negative with yet and a positive with still can say the same thing.
| yet | still |
|---|---|
| She hasn't left yet. | She's still here. |
| I haven't finished eating yet. | I'm still eating. |
Not She is yet here.
- He hasn't woken up yet. = He's still asleep.
D already
already = sooner than expected.
- "What time is Nick getting here?" "He's already here." (= sooner than we expected)
- "Let me explain what happened." "There's no need. I already know."
- Kate doesn't want to come to the museum. She's already been there.
Exercises
95.1 You bump into Tom. You last saw him three years ago. Back then he told you the things in brackets. Ask him questions with still.
(I play the trumpet.)
Do you still play the trumpet?
Do you still play the trumpet?
(I live in Mill Lane.)
Do you still live in Mill Lane?
(I'm a student.)
Are you still a student?
(I've got a scooter.)
Have you still got a scooter?
(I go to the gym a lot.)
Do you still go to the gym a lot?
(I want to be a chef.)
Do you still want to be a chef?
95.2 Write three sentences for each situation: one about before, one with still, and one with yet. Look at the example carefully.
Before: two people at a bus stop, waiting. Now: the same two people, still at the stop. No bus.
(before) They ...
They were waiting for the bus.
They were waiting for the bus.
Before: two people at a bus stop, waiting. Now: the same two people, still at the stop. No bus.
(still) They ...
They are still waiting.
They're still waiting.
Before: two people at a bus stop, waiting. Now: the same two people, still at the stop. No bus.
(yet) The bus ...
The bus hasn't come yet.
The bus hasn't come yet.
Before: a man reading the property pages, saying "I'm looking for a flat." Now: the same man with the same pages, still searching.
(before) He ...
He was looking for a flat.
Before: a man reading the property pages, saying "I'm looking for a flat." Now: the same man with the same pages, still searching.
(still) He ...
He's still looking for a flat.
Before: a man reading the property pages, saying "I'm looking for a flat." Now: the same man with the same pages, still searching.
(yet) He ...
He hasn't found a flat yet.
Before: a woman asleep in bed; the clock says 8.00. Now: the clock says 10.00 and she is still asleep.
(before) She ...
She was asleep.
Before: a woman asleep in bed; the clock says 8.00. Now: the clock says 10.00 and she is still asleep.
(still) She ...
She's still asleep.
Before: a woman asleep in bed; the clock says 8.00. Now: the clock says 10.00 and she is still asleep.
(yet) She ...
She hasn't woken up yet.
Before: a couple sitting down to lunch with full plates. Now: the same couple, still eating, the plates half full.
(before) They ...
They were having lunch.
Before: a couple sitting down to lunch with full plates. Now: the same couple, still eating, the plates half full.
(still) They ...
They're still having lunch.
Before: a couple sitting down to lunch with full plates. Now: the same couple, still eating, the plates half full.
(yet) They ...
They haven't finished lunch yet.
95.3 Write questions with yet.
You and Leo are going out. You're waiting for him to get ready. Maybe he's ready now. You ask him:
Are you ready yet?
Are you ready yet?
You're waiting for Grace to arrive. She wasn't here five minutes ago. Maybe she's here now. You ask someone:
Is Grace here yet?
Ravi applied for a job and is waiting to hear back. Maybe he's heard now. You ask him:
Have you heard back yet?
Last week Ella couldn't decide which car to buy. Maybe she's decided now. You ask her:
Have you decided which car to buy yet?
95.4 Complete the answers. Use already.
"What time is Nick getting here?" "He's already here."
"What time is Nick getting here?" "He's already here."
"Does Kate want to come to the museum?" "No, she has already been there."
"Does Kate want to come to the museum?" "No, she has already been there."
"I need to see Oscar before he leaves." "You're too late. He ."
"I need to see Oscar before he leaves." "You're too late. He has already left."
"Do you need an umbrella?" "No thanks. I one."
"Do you need an umbrella?" "No thanks. I have already got one."
"Shall I pay for the tickets?" "No, it's fine. I ."
"Shall I pay for the tickets?" "No, it's fine. I have already paid."
"Shall I tell Ruby about the party?" "No, she . I told her."
"Shall I tell Ruby about the party?" "No, she already knows. I told her."