Already yet still

Already yet still

We use already to refer to something which has happened or may have happened before the moment of speaking. Already can sometimes suggest surprise on the part of the speaker, that something is unexpected:

Is it seven o’clock already? (The speaker didn’t expect it to be so late.)

Yet

We use yet most commonly in questions and negatives, to talk about things which are expected but which have not happened:

Is it seven o’clock yet? (The speaker thinks that probably it’s almost seven o’clock.)

A: Where will you be staying?

B: I haven’t decided yet, but somewhere in the city centre.

Already refers to things which have happened or which people think may have happened. Yet refers to things which have not happened or which people think may not have happened.

Already, yet or still?

• We use still not yet or already to refer to the continuation of a situation:

  I still meet my friends from my schooldays now and then. (I continue to meet my friends)

  Not: I already meet my friends or I yet meet my friends

  
  

Negatives with already, still, yet

• Negatives with yet mean that something has not happened up to now:

  I haven’t spoken to Henry about the car yet.

• Negatives with still suggest that the situation should have changed, but it has not:

  I still haven’t found my passport. I know it’s here somewhere. (I’ve been looking for it for a long time. I should have found it by now)

• Warning:

  
  

  We usually put yet after the main verb, whereas we usually put still after the subject.

As you can see above, already normally appears between the auxiliary verb have and past participle, or before the main verb in simple tenses.

If we want to emphasize the surprise that something has already happened, we can use already at the end of the sentence:

Don't tell me you've been there already!

It turns out he has moved out already!

Fill in the Blanks

John moved to London 10 years ago and he

lives there.

Multiple Select

The details have _________to be worked out.

• still

• already

• yet

Fill in the Blanks

"What time is the accountant coming?" "He's

here!"

Fill in the Blanks

The manager resigned yesterday, but his resignation hasn't been officially announced

.

Multiple Choice

Charles is ______ in love with Joanna.

• still

• yet

• already

Fill in the Blanks

Emma moved in last week and she

knows everyone!

Multiple Select

We are in March and spring hasn't come __________

• still

• already

• yet

Fill in the Blanks

Peter sent in an application form two weeks ago but he

hasn't received a reply.

Multiple Select

Has the postman come________ ?

• still

• already

• yet

Fill in the Blanks

I've been taking lessons but I

haven't made much progress

Multiple Choice

Does your father _______ keep horses?

• still

• yet

• already

Multiple Select

He hasn't written to his girlfriend ______.

• still

• already

• yet

Fill in the Blanks

"I ordered a book last week. Has it arrived

?"

Multiple Choice

Have you ___________ eaten? You have just started!

• still

• already

• yet