Quick answer: Already means something happened before now or sooner than expected: I’ve already eaten. Yet is used in questions and negatives to talk about something expected but not done: Have you eaten yet? / I haven’t eaten yet. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘already’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| already | adverb | before now; sooner than expected | I’ve already finished. |
| yet | adverb | up to now (negatives); by now? (questions) | Have you finished yet? |
Using Already
Already is used in affirmative sentences and questions to show something happened before now or sooner than expected. It usually comes before the main verb or at the end of the sentence.
She has already left the office.
They’ve already decided.
Have you already eaten? (surprised tone)
I already knew the answer.
Position of Already
Already typically appears between the auxiliary verb and the main verb, or at the end of the sentence. Both positions are correct, though mid-position is more common in British English.
He has already gone home.
He has gone home already.
I’ve already seen that film. / I’ve seen that film already.
Using Yet
Yet is used in negative sentences and questions with the present perfect to refer to something expected but not done or not happened. It goes at the end of the clause.
I haven’t finished yet.
Has she called yet?
They haven’t arrived yet.
Is the report ready yet?
Yet in Positive Sentences
In formal or literary English, yet can appear in affirmative sentences as a conjunction meaning “but” or “nevertheless”: She was tired, yet she kept going. In everyday speech, this use is less common.
He was poor, yet he was generous.
The plan is risky, yet it might work.
Common Mistakes
✗ I have yet finished my homework.
✓ I have already finished my homework.
Note: yet in affirmatives requires “have yet to + infinitive” for formal use: “I have yet to finish.”
✗ I haven’t already done it.
✓ I haven’t done it yet.
✗ Yet I haven’t read the book.
✓ I haven’t read the book yet.
Note: yet goes at the END of the clause in present perfect negatives and questions.
Also confusing: Since vs For, Accept vs Except. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Already or Yet?
Four questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “Have you done your homework ___?”
2. “She has ___ left — you just missed her.”
3. “I haven’t eaten ___.”
4. “Don’t worry — I ___ know the way.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between already and yet?
Already refers to something that happened before now or sooner than expected, used in affirmative sentences. Yet refers to something expected but not done, used in negative sentences and questions.
Where does already go in a sentence?
Already usually goes between the auxiliary verb and main verb: “I’ve already finished.” It can also go at the end: “I’ve finished already.” Both are correct.
Where does yet go in a sentence?
Yet goes at the end of the clause in negatives and questions: “I haven’t finished yet.” / “Have you finished yet?” Do not put yet before the main verb in informal speech.
Can already be used in questions?
Yes. “Have you already done that?” expresses surprise that something happened sooner than expected.
Can yet be used in affirmative sentences?
In formal English, “have yet to + infinitive” means “have not yet done”: “Scientists have yet to find a cure.” The conjunction yet (= but) also appears in affirmatives: “It was hard, yet rewarding.”
Is “I didn’t do it already” correct?
No. Use “I haven’t done it yet” for something not done up to now. “Already” does not belong in negative present perfect sentences.
What is the difference between already and still?
Already = something happened (positive); still = something continues or has not changed (often with negatives in British English meaning yet): “I still haven’t called” / “I haven’t called yet.”
Can I say “yet” at the beginning of a sentence?
Only when yet functions as a conjunction meaning “but/nevertheless”: “Yet the situation improved.” As an adverb of time, yet goes at the end of the clause.
Do already and yet work with simple past?
In American English, already and yet can appear with simple past: “Did you eat yet? / I already ate.” British English prefers present perfect: “Have you eaten yet? / I’ve already eaten.”
How do already and yet appear in IELTS writing?
In IELTS, already is common in present perfect affirmatives to show progress; yet is used in negatives or rhetorical questions. Mixing them up is a grammar error: use already for done things, yet for pending ones.