Use still for something that continues, not ... any more and no longer for something that has stopped, yet for something expected that has not happened, and already for something that happened sooner than expected.
A still: the situation has not changed
Use still to say that a situation or action is continuing. It has not changed and it has not stopped.
Still can also mean in spite of this. The second example in the list below is a case in point.
Still usually goes in the middle of the sentence, with the verb (see Unit 110).
- It's twelve o'clock and Liam is still in his pyjamas.
- When we left the pub, the band was still playing.
- Are you still thinking of moving, or have you decided to stay?
- She earns a very good salary, but she still never has any money.
B not ... any more, not ... any longer, no longer
Use not ... any more or not ... any longer to say that a situation has changed. Both go at the end of the sentence. You can write any more (two words) or anymore (one word).
You can also use no longer, which goes in the middle of the sentence. It is slightly more formal, as befits a sign on a shop door.
We do not normally use no more in this way: The shop is no longer open on Sundays, not is no more open.
- Dev doesn't live here any more. He moved to Leeds in June.
- Dev doesn't live here any longer.
- We used to go every week, but we don't any more.
- Dev no longer lives here.
- The shop is no longer open on Sundays. (not is no more open)
- Hannah still sings in the choir, but Beth doesn't sing in it any more.
C yet: expected, not happened so far
Use yet mainly in negative sentences and questions. Yet means until now, and it shows that the speaker expects the thing to happen. It usually goes at the end of the sentence, and it is very often used with the present perfect (see Unit 7C).
Compare yet and still: the same situation can be described with either.
| still | not ... yet |
|---|---|
| Carl failed his test in May and he is still learning. | Carl failed his test in May and he hasn't passed yet. |
| Is the baby still asleep? | Has the baby woken up yet? |
Still is also possible in a negative sentence, placed before the negative: he still hasn't paid. It means much the same as he hasn't paid yet, but it carries more surprise or impatience. The speaker feels it should have happened by now.
- It's eight o'clock and the pizza isn't here yet.
- Have you booked your train yet?
- "What are you doing for your birthday?" "I haven't decided yet."
- He promised me the money a month ago and he still hasn't paid me.
- I emailed the landlord yesterday. He hasn't answered yet. (I expect he will answer soon)
- I emailed the landlord three weeks ago and he still hasn't answered. (he should have answered by now)
D already: sooner than expected
Use already to say that something happened sooner than expected.
Already usually goes in the middle of the sentence (see Unit 110), or at the end: He's already gone or He's gone already.
- "Is Joe coming to the meeting?" "He's already here."
- Shall I explain what happened, or have you already heard?
- I've only just got up and I'm already tired.
- Their train has already gone. or Their train has gone already.
Exercises
111.1 Five years ago Jodie said some things about her life. Now she says them again. Some things are the same and some have changed. Write sentences about Jodie with still or any more (items 1 to 8), then write three more sentences with no longer (items 10 to 12).
Five years ago: "I live in Hull." Now: "I live in Hull."
(Hull)
She still lives in Hull.
She still lives in Hull.
Five years ago: "I work in a bank." Now: "I work in a garden centre."
(bank)
She doesn't work in a bank any more.
She doesn't work in a bank any more.
Five years ago: "I play the violin." Now: "I gave up the violin."
(violin)
She doesn't play the violin any more.
Five years ago: "I want to live abroad." Now: "I want to live abroad."
(abroad)
She still wants to live abroad.
Five years ago: "I'm interested in football." Now: "I'm not interested in football."
(football)
She isn't interested in football any more.
Five years ago: "I share a flat with two friends." Now: "I share a flat with two friends."
(flat)
She still shares a flat with two friends.
Five years ago: "I go swimming every week." Now: "I haven't been swimming for years."
(swimming)
She doesn't go swimming any more.
Five years ago, Jodie had long hair down to her waist. Now it is very short.
(hair)
She doesn't have long hair any more.
(no longer: bank)
She no longer works in a bank.
She no longer works in a bank.
(no longer: choose any change from items 3, 5, 7 or 8)
She no longer plays the violin.
(no longer: a second change)
She is no longer interested in football.
(no longer: a third change)
She no longer goes swimming.
111.2 Each sentence uses still. Write a sentence with a similar meaning using not ... yet, beginning with the word in brackets. Choose from these verbs.
arrivedecidefindfinishleavestopwake up
It's still snowing. (It)
It hasn't stopped snowing yet.
It hasn't stopped snowing yet.
Nathan is still here. (He)
He hasn't left yet.
They're still painting the hall. (They)
They haven't finished painting the hall yet.
The baby is still asleep. (She)
She hasn't woken up yet.
Owen is still looking for a flat. (He)
He hasn't found a flat yet.
I'm still wondering which course to take. (I)
I haven't decided which course to take yet.
The delivery van is still on its way. (It)
It hasn't arrived yet.
111.3 Put in still, yet, already or any more.
Kieran broke his leg in March and he is still on crutches.
Kieran broke his leg in March and he is still on crutches.
Do you want me to explain the rules, or do you already know them?
Do you want me to explain the rules, or do you already know them?
Are you going out with Ryan, or have you split up?
Are you still going out with Ryan, or have you split up?
I'm starving. Is tea ready ?
I'm starving. Is tea ready yet?
I had a headache this morning, but it doesn't hurt .
I had a headache this morning, but it doesn't hurt any more.
Can we stay a bit longer? I don't want to go home .
Can we stay a bit longer? I don't want to go home yet.
Josh used to play rugby, but he doesn't play .
Josh used to play rugby, but he doesn't play any more.
I used to work in Cardiff. I have a lot of friends there.
I used to work in Cardiff. I still have a lot of friends there.
You don't need to introduce us. We've met.
You don't need to introduce us. We've already met.
My nan is ninety-two, but she's very sharp.
My nan is ninety-two, but she's still very sharp.
Shall I get you a coffee, or have you had one?
Shall I get you a coffee, or have you already had one?
"Where's Lee?" "He isn't here . He's on his way."
"Where's Lee?" "He isn't here yet. He's on his way."
Kat said she'd ring at six. It's half past seven and she hasn't rung.
Kat said she'd ring at six. It's half past seven and she still hasn't rung.
Do you want to join the choir, or are you a member?
Do you want to join the choir, or are you already a member?
It was years ago, but I think about it now and then.
It was years ago, but I still think about it now and then.
I've grown out of these shoes. They don't fit me .
I've grown out of these shoes. They don't fit me any more.