Still, yet and already all relate to time, but they are not interchangeable. Each word signals something different about whether an action is continuing, expected, or has happened earlier than expected.
- She still works there. (an ongoing situation, continuing longer than expected)
- She hasn't finished yet. (something expected that hasn't happened)
- She has already finished. (something that happened earlier than expected)
Still: An Ongoing Situation
Still shows that a situation continues, often longer than expected. It usually goes before the main verb but after the verb "be" and after auxiliary/modal verbs.
- He still lives with his parents. (before the main verb)
- She is still waiting for the bus. (after "is")
- They can still change their minds. (after the modal "can")
In questions, still often goes before the main verb, after the subject: Do you still work at the bank?
Yet: Expected but Not Happened (Negatives and Questions)
Yet is mainly used in negative sentences and questions, usually at the end of the sentence, to talk about something expected that hasn't happened.
- I haven't finished the report yet.
- Have you called the doctor yet?
- They haven't arrived yet.
Yet is almost always used with the present perfect in British English, though the simple past is common in American English: Did you eat yet?
Already: Earlier Than Expected
Already is used in positive (affirmative) sentences to show that something happened sooner than expected, or before now. It usually goes before the main verb or after "be"/auxiliary verbs, though it can also go at the end for emphasis.
- I've already eaten, so I'm not hungry.
- She's already left for the airport.
- He's finished the exam already! (end position adds surprise/emphasis)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Word | Sentence type | Meaning | Typical position |
|---|---|---|---|
still | Positive, negative, question | Ongoing, continuing longer than expected | Before main verb / after "be" |
yet | Negative, question | Expected but not happened | End of sentence |
already | Positive (affirmative) | Happened earlier than expected | Before main verb / after "be" / end (emphasis) |
More Examples
- Is he still asleep? (still ongoing?)
- Have they left yet? (expected departure — has it happened?)
- They've already left. (it happened earlier than expected)
- We still haven't decided where to go. (still + negative = a decision continues to be undecided)
- Don't worry, I haven't forgotten yet.
- I can't believe you're already here — you're early!
- Is dinner ready yet?
- She's already read that book twice.
Quick test: If the sentence is negative or a question about something expected, try yet. If it's positive and something happened early, try already. If a situation is simply continuing, try still.
Common Mistakes
-
Using yet in a positive sentence: Yet normally belongs in negatives and questions, not affirmative statements.
Wrong: I have yet finished my homework.
Correct: I have already finished my homework. / I haven't finished my homework yet. -
Confusing still with yet in negatives: "Still haven't" emphasises an ongoing lack of action; "haven't ... yet" is more neutral.
Less natural: I haven't yet still called her.
Correct: I still haven't called her. (emphasises frustration) or I haven't called her yet. (neutral) -
Putting already at the very end when it sounds unnatural: End position works for emphasis or surprise, but mid-sentence is more neutral and common.
Also correct but different tone: I've eaten already. vs I've already eaten. -
Placing still after the main verb instead of before it:
Wrong: He lives still with his parents.
Correct: He still lives with his parents.
Practice Exercises
Grammar Quiz
Test your understanding with targeted questions.
Complete the Sentence
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True or False
Decide whether each example sentence is correct.
Flash Cards
Drill the key rules and example sentences.
Matching Pairs
Match examples to the correct rule or category.
Unjumble
Reorder scrambled words into a correct sentence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between still and yet?
Still shows that a situation is continuing, often for longer than expected, and can appear in positive, negative, or question sentences. Yet is mainly used in negative sentences and questions to ask or state whether an expected action has happened, and it normally goes at the end of the sentence.
What is the difference between yet and already?
Yet is used in negative sentences and questions about something expected but not completed, usually at the end of the sentence: "I haven't finished yet." Already is used in positive sentences to show something happened sooner than expected, usually before the main verb: "I've already finished."
Where does still go in a sentence?
Still usually goes before the main verb ("She still lives here"), but after the verb "be" or an auxiliary/modal verb ("She is still here", "She can still help"). In questions, it typically comes right after the subject.
Can yet be used in a positive sentence?
Not usually. Yet is almost always used in negative statements and questions. In positive sentences describing something that happened earlier than expected, English speakers use already instead, as in "I've already finished" rather than "I have yet finished".
Why do we say 'I still haven't called her' instead of just 'I haven't called her yet'?
Both are correct, but they carry a slightly different tone. "I still haven't called her" emphasises that the delay has continued for a noticeable amount of time, often suggesting frustration or surprise. "I haven't called her yet" is more neutral, simply stating that the action hasn't happened.
Is it correct to say 'already' at the end of a sentence?
Yes. Placing already at the end of a sentence, as in "He's finished already!", adds emphasis or expresses surprise that something happened sooner than expected. Placing it before the main verb, as in "He's already finished", is more neutral and equally correct.
Can still be used with negative sentences?
Yes. "Still" combines with negatives to emphasise that a situation has not changed, as in "They still don't understand" or "We still haven't decided." This is different from a plain negative with "yet", which sounds more neutral about the delay.
Is American English different from British English with yet?
There is a difference in informal speech. British English almost always pairs yet with the present perfect, as in "Have you eaten yet?" American English commonly allows the simple past instead, as in "Did you eat yet?", though the present perfect form is also correct and widely used in the US.
Which word should I use to ask if something has happened as expected?
Use yet in a question: "Have they arrived yet?" This asks whether an expected event has occurred. If you want to know whether a situation is continuing rather than whether something has happened, use still: "Are they still here?"
What level are still, yet and already typically taught at?
These words are usually introduced around A2/B1 level alongside the present perfect tense, since yet and already are most commonly used with it. The finer distinctions in tone and word order, especially around emphasis, are often refined further at B2 level.