Already, Still, Yet: What's the Difference?
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'already' for completed actions, 'still' for ongoing ones, and 'yet' for expected future events.
- Already: Used in affirmative sentences to show an action happened sooner than expected. (I've already eaten.)
- Still: Used to show a situation continues to be true. (He is still sleeping.)
- Yet: Used in negative/questions to show something hasn't happened but is expected. (It isn't ready yet.)
Already, still and yet all relate to time and expectation — but each has its own position and meaning. Getting these right immediately makes your English sound more natural.
Already — Sooner Than Expected
Positives and questions. Position: mid-sentence or end.
✓ I've already eaten — I'm not hungry.
✓ Are you already here? That was quick!
Still — Continuing / Hasn't Changed
Positive = continuing. Negative = expected to stop but hasn't.
✓ She is still working. (it continues)
✓ He still hasn't called! (surprise)
Yet — Expected but Not Done
Negatives and questions only. Position: always at the END.
✓ Have you finished yet?
✓ I haven't started yet.
| Word | Used in | Position | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| already | positives, questions | mid or end | sooner than expected |
| still | positives & negatives | before main verb | continuing / hasn't changed |
| yet | negatives, questions | end of sentence | expected but not done |
Placement Guide
| Adverb | Sentence Type | Position |
|---|---|---|
|
Already
|
Affirmative
|
Mid-sentence
|
|
Still
|
Affirmative
|
Mid-sentence
|
|
Yet
|
Negative
|
End of sentence
|
|
Yet
|
Interrogative
|
End of sentence
|
Common Contractions
| Full | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
I have
|
I've
|
|
He is
|
He's
|
|
It is
|
It's
|
|
Have not
|
Haven't
|
Meanings
These adverbs describe the timing and duration of actions relative to the speaker's expectations.
Already (Completion)
Indicates an action happened before now or sooner than expected.
“I have already seen that movie.”
“She has already left.”
Still (Continuity)
Indicates a situation is continuing and has not stopped.
“It is still raining.”
“Are you still working?”
Yet (Expectation)
Indicates something expected has not happened up to this point.
“The bus hasn't arrived yet.”
“Have you finished yet?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Already
|
S + have/has + already + V3
|
I have already eaten.
|
|
Still
|
S + am/is/are + still + V-ing
|
He is still working.
|
|
Still
|
S + still + V
|
I still love it.
|
|
Yet (Neg)
|
S + haven't/hasn't + V3 + yet
|
I haven't finished yet.
|
|
Yet (Q)
|
Have/Has + S + V3 + yet?
|
Have you finished yet?
|
|
Already (End)
|
S + V + ... + already
|
I finished already!
|
Formality Spectrum
The task has not yet been completed. (Work)
I haven't finished the task yet. (Work)
I'm not done yet. (Work)
Ain't done yet. (Work)
Time Adverb Map
Completion
- Already Done
Continuity
- Still Ongoing
Expectation
- Yet Pending
Adverb Comparison
Decision Flow
Is it finished?
Is it still ongoing?
Examples by Level
I have already eaten.
Are you still here?
It is not ready yet.
I have already finished.
She has already left the house.
He is still sleeping in his room.
Have you done your homework yet?
I haven't seen the movie yet.
I've already told him the truth.
We are still waiting for the bus.
The report isn't finished yet.
Are you still working at the bank?
They had already left by the time I arrived.
Despite the rain, they are still playing.
I haven't yet decided which car to buy.
The project is already behind schedule.
He has already made his position clear.
The debate is still raging on.
I haven't yet had the opportunity to speak.
She is already considered an expert.
The implications have already been discussed.
The theory still holds water today.
The results are not yet conclusive.
He has already surpassed all expectations.
Easily Confused
Both talk about duration, but 'still' is for positive, 'anymore' for negative.
Both talk about recent completion.
Both can appear in questions.
Common Mistakes
I yet not eat.
I haven't eaten yet.
I already not eat.
I haven't eaten yet.
He is still eat.
He is still eating.
I eat already.
I have already eaten.
I have yet finished.
I have already finished.
Are you already finished?
Have you finished yet?
He still is here.
He is still here.
I haven't already gone.
I haven't gone yet.
She is yet working.
She is still working.
I have still not finished.
I still haven't finished.
The project is yet to be finished.
The project is yet to be finished (this is actually correct, but often confused with 'not finished yet').
He has already not arrived.
He hasn't arrived yet.
She is still not arrived.
She still hasn't arrived.
I have yet to see it.
I haven't seen it yet.
Sentence Patterns
I have ___ finished my work.
Are you ___ working?
I haven't seen him ___.
She ___ hasn't arrived.
Real World Usage
Are you there yet?
I have already managed a team.
I'm still deciding.
The flight hasn't landed yet.
Already missing the summer!
Is my order here yet?
Check the Verb
No Already in Negatives
Yet at the End
Emphasis
Smart Tips
Move 'already' to the end of the sentence for extra punch.
Always put it at the end of the sentence.
Place 'still' after the verb.
Place 'still' before the verb.
Pronunciation
Stress
In 'already', the stress is on the second syllable.
Vowel sound
The 'y' in 'yet' is a glide sound.
Question
Have you finished yet? ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
Statement
I'm already done. ↘
Falling intonation for statements.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-S-Y: Already (A) is for 'All done', Still (S) is for 'Still going', Yet (Y) is for 'You're waiting'.
Visual Association
Imagine a race. The winner is 'already' at the finish line. The runner in the middle is 'still' running. The person at the start line is waiting for the race to start 'yet'.
Rhyme
Already means it's done and through, Still means it's sticking to you, Yet means you're waiting for what's due.
Story
Sarah had already finished her coffee. She was still sitting in the cafe. She hadn't ordered her dessert yet.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your day using 'already', 'still', and 'yet'.
Cultural Notes
Americans often use 'already' at the end of sentences for emphasis, especially in the Northeast.
British speakers are more likely to use 'yet' in formal contexts.
Australians often use 'still' to express surprise at a situation's duration.
These words have Old English roots. 'Already' comes from 'all' + 'ready'. 'Still' meant 'quiet' or 'constant'. 'Yet' meant 'up to this time'.
Conversation Starters
Have you finished your lunch yet?
Are you still living in the same city?
Have you already decided on your summer plans?
Is there anything you haven't yet achieved this year?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
I have ___ finished my homework.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
He is yet sleeping.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Todavía estoy trabajando.
Answer starts with: I a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Is the report ready? B: No, I ___.
Use 'still' with 'raining'.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesI have ___ finished my homework.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
He is yet sleeping.
finished / yet / have / you / ?
Todavía estoy trabajando.
Already
A: Is the report ready? B: No, I ___.
Use 'still' with 'raining'.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, but it expresses surprise. 'Have you finished already?' implies you didn't expect them to be done so soon.
No, it can be used in past or future: 'I was still working' or 'I will still be here'.
In English, 'yet' is an adverb that almost always occupies the final position in a clause.
'Still' means the situation hasn't changed. 'Yet' means the situation is expected to change.
Yes, it is common in informal speech for emphasis.
In standard English, yes. Placing it elsewhere sounds unnatural.
It is neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Yes, they are standard across all major English dialects.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ya / Todavía
English distinguishes 'already' and 'yet' more strictly.
Déjà / Encore
Encore covers both continuity and expectation.
Schon / Noch
The distinction is purely lexical.
Mou / Mada
The negative form of the verb is required with 'mada'.
Qad / La-sa
Arabic aspect is often tied to verb conjugation.
Yijing / Hai
Word order is much more rigid in Chinese.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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