Use already in positive sentences to show something happened sooner than expected (I've already finished). Use yet in questions and negative sentences to ask or say whether something has happened up to now (have you finished yet? / I haven't finished yet).
The Core Difference
“Already” is used mainly in affirmative (positive) sentences to emphasise that something happened earlier than expected, or before now: I've already eaten, she has already left.
“Yet” is used mainly in questions and negative sentences, usually at the end, to ask whether something has happened up to the present moment, or to say it hasn't: has he called yet?, we haven't decided yet.
- positive, earlier than expected → already: I’ve already seen that film
- questions / negatives → yet: has she arrived yet? not yet
Already and Yet in Context
I've already sent you the report.
Have you finished your homework yet?
She has already booked her flight for next month.
We haven't received the results yet.
Don't worry — I've already called the plumber, even though he hasn't arrived yet.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ✗ have you finished already? | ✓ have you finished yet? | question form uses “yet” |
| ✗ I haven't eaten already | ✓ I haven't eaten yet | negative form uses “yet” |
| ✗ she has yet booked the tickets | ✓ she has already booked the tickets | positive statement uses “already” |
| ✗ did you yet call her? | ✓ have you called her yet? | “yet” typically pairs with present perfect, at the end |
| ✗ we already haven't started | ✓ we haven't started yet | negative + “yet”, not “already” |
ALREADY = A done deal, ALREADY happened — used for good news in positive sentences. YET = ?/not YET — think of it as a question mark or a “not” sign waiting at the end of the sentence for something to happen.
Related Questions
- Already vs Yet — full confusing-words comparison page with additional examples and exercises.
- All Confusing Words — browse all 300+ word-pair guides.
- All Questions — more quick-answer pages.
- Grammar Quiz — test your knowledge of confusing word pairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the simplest rule for already vs yet?
Use “already” in positive (affirmative) sentences to show something happened sooner than expected: “I've already eaten.” Use “yet” in questions and negative sentences to ask about or deny something happening up to now: “Have you eaten yet?” / “I haven't eaten yet.”
Where does yet usually go in a sentence?
“Yet” typically goes at the very end of the question or negative sentence: “Has she called yet?”, “They haven't arrived yet.” Placing it elsewhere can sound unnatural in standard English.
Where does already usually go in a sentence?
“Already” is flexible but most commonly appears between the auxiliary verb and the main verb (I have already finished), or at the end of the sentence for extra emphasis (I've finished already).
Can already ever be used in questions?
Yes, though less commonly — “already” in a question expresses surprise that something has happened so soon: “Have you finished already?” (implying “so quickly?”), which is different from the neutral “Have you finished yet?”
Can yet be used in positive sentences?
Yes, but with a different meaning — “yet” can mean “still” or “eventually” in certain positive structures: “She may yet succeed” (she still might succeed). This literary use is far less common than the everyday negative/question use.
Which tense is most commonly used with already and yet?
Both are most frequently used with the present perfect tense (have/has + past participle), because both words relate to actions connected to the present moment: “I have already left” / “Have you left yet?”
Is still the same as yet?
No — “still” describes an ongoing situation that continues (“I am still waiting”), while “yet” in negatives asks whether a new situation/action has started (“I haven't started yet”). They often appear together: “I'm still waiting; it hasn't arrived yet.”
Can already replace just in some sentences?
Not usually — “just” describes something that happened a very short time ago (“I've just arrived”), while “already” emphasises that something happened sooner than expected. They can sometimes overlap but express slightly different ideas.
Why do learners often misplace yet at the start of a sentence?
In many languages, the equivalent time word can appear anywhere in the sentence, so learners often place “yet” at the start (“Yet, have you called her?”). In standard English, “yet” almost always belongs at the end of the question or negative clause.
Is this distinction tested in grammar exams?
Yes — correct placement and choice between “already” and “yet” with the present perfect is a classic grammar point in school and international exams such as Cambridge and IELTS, since it tests both vocabulary and tense control.