Already, Still and Yet: Precise Use at B2
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'already' for completed actions, 'still' for ongoing states, and 'yet' for expected events in negatives or questions.
- Already: Used in affirmative sentences to show something happened sooner than expected. (I've already eaten.)
- Still: Used to show a situation continues to be true. (He is still working.)
- Yet: Used in negatives/questions to show something hasn't happened but is expected. (Have you finished yet?)
These three words are about timing relative to expectations. Mastering their position and nuance separates B1 from B2 fluency.
already — sooner than expected
Position: between auxiliary + verb, or end
✅ I have already sent it.
✅ Have you eaten already? (surprised)
still — continuing longer than expected
Position: before main verb / before negative auxiliary
✅ She is still working.
✅ I still haven't heard back. (frustration)
yet — not happened up to now (negatives/questions)
Position: end of sentence
✅ Has she arrived yet?
✅ I haven't finished yet.
Still not vs. Not yet
not yet — neutral: I haven't heard yet.
still haven't — stronger, implies frustration: I still haven't heard.
Adverb Placement Rules
| Adverb | Sentence Type | Placement | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Already
|
Affirmative
|
Mid-sentence
|
I have already finished.
|
|
Still
|
Affirmative
|
Mid-sentence
|
He is still working.
|
|
Still
|
Negative
|
Before 'not'
|
He still hasn't arrived.
|
|
Yet
|
Negative
|
End of sentence
|
I haven't finished yet.
|
|
Yet
|
Question
|
End of sentence
|
Have you finished yet?
|
|
Already
|
Question
|
Mid-sentence
|
Have you already seen it?
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
I have already
|
I've already
|
|
He has already
|
He's already
|
|
It is still
|
It's still
|
|
I have not yet
|
I haven't yet
|
Meanings
These adverbs describe the timing and duration of actions relative to the speaker's expectations.
Completion (Already)
Indicates an action happened before the current moment or earlier than anticipated.
“I have already seen that movie.”
“She has already left for the airport.”
Continuity (Still)
Indicates a state or action that started in the past and continues into the present.
“It is still raining outside.”
“Are you still living in London?”
Expectation (Yet)
Used in negative sentences and questions to refer to something that is expected to happen.
“I haven't finished my homework yet.”
“Has the bus arrived yet?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + Aux + Already + Verb
|
I have already eaten.
|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + Still + Verb
|
He still works here.
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + Aux + Not + Verb + Yet
|
I haven't eaten yet.
|
|
Question
|
Aux + Subj + Verb + Yet
|
Have you eaten yet?
|
|
Question
|
Aux + Subj + Already + Verb
|
Have you already eaten?
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + Still + Not + Verb
|
He still hasn't eaten.
|
Formality Spectrum
The task is yet to be completed. (Work update)
I haven't finished the task yet. (Work update)
I'm not done yet. (Work update)
Still working on it. (Work update)
Time Adverb Map
Completion
- Already Done
Continuity
- Still Ongoing
Expectation
- Yet Pending
Placement Comparison
Examples by Level
I have already eaten.
Are you still here?
I am not ready yet.
He has already finished.
She is still reading the book.
Have you finished the homework yet?
They have already left the house.
I still don't know the answer.
I've already told you about the meeting.
Is the train still delayed?
We haven't decided where to go yet.
He is still working on the project.
I have already completed the report, so I am free.
Despite the issues, they are still moving forward.
The results haven't been published yet.
Have you already spoken to the manager?
The policy is still being debated in parliament.
I have already accounted for all potential risks.
The outcome is not yet clear to the committee.
She is still of the opinion that we should wait.
The theory has already been debunked by recent studies.
We are still to receive confirmation of the deal.
The project is not yet at the stage of implementation.
He has already made his position clear.
Easily Confused
Both relate to ongoing states.
Both relate to completion.
Both describe the status of an action.
Common Mistakes
I yet not eat.
I haven't eaten yet.
I already not eat.
I haven't eaten yet.
He is already working.
He is still working.
I have yet finished.
I have already finished.
Do you still finished?
Have you finished yet?
I have finished yet.
I have already finished.
He is yet working.
He is still working.
I have already not finished.
I haven't finished yet.
Still I have not finished.
I still haven't finished.
Have you already finished yet?
Have you finished yet?
The project is already to be finished.
The project is yet to be finished.
He is still to arrive.
He is yet to arrive.
Already, he has left.
He has already left.
Not yet I have finished.
I haven't finished yet.
Sentence Patterns
I have ___ finished the task.
Are you ___ working there?
I haven't seen him ___.
He ___ hasn't arrived.
Real World Usage
Are you there yet?
I have already managed similar projects.
My order hasn't arrived yet.
Still waiting for the weekend!
We have already checked in.
Is the report still pending?
Check the verb
Placement matters
Use 'still' for persistence
Tone check
Smart Tips
Use 'already' to show it happened sooner than expected.
Use 'yet' at the end of the sentence.
Use 'still' before the verb.
Use 'yet' at the end of the question.
Pronunciation
Stress
These adverbs are usually unstressed unless you want to emphasize the timing.
Rising intonation
Have you finished yet? ↗
Polite inquiry.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember: Already is for 'Already done', Still is for 'Still going', Yet is for 'Not yet'.
Visual Association
Imagine a clock. 'Already' is the hand past the hour. 'Still' is the hand stuck in place. 'Yet' is a question mark waiting to be filled.
Rhyme
Already is done, Still is the run, Yet is the wait, Don't be late!
Story
Sarah is at the office. She has already finished her report. She is still waiting for her boss. Her boss hasn't arrived yet.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your day using already, still, and yet.
Cultural Notes
Often used in 'I've yet to see' for formal contexts.
More frequent use of 'already' for emphasis.
Similar to British, but 'still' is often used in casual conversation.
These words are of Germanic origin, evolving from Old English markers of time and duration.
Conversation Starters
Have you finished your work yet?
Are you still living in the same city?
Have you already planned your next vacation?
Is the project still ongoing?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
I have ___ finished my work.
Are you ___ living in London?
Find and fix the mistake:
I yet have not finished.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Ya he comido.
Answer starts with: I h...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Have you seen the movie? B: No, I haven't ___.
He / work / still / is
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesI have ___ finished my work.
Are you ___ living in London?
Find and fix the mistake:
I yet have not finished.
finished / yet / I / haven't
Ya he comido.
Still
A: Have you seen the movie? B: No, I haven't ___.
He / work / still / is
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Generally no, use 'yet' instead.
Always at the end of the sentence.
It can be used for the past too (e.g., 'He was still working').
Yes, for emphasis in informal speech.
Still is for continuation; yet is for pending events.
Usually due to L1 interference.
They are neutral and used in all registers.
Yes, but they are most common with Perfect tenses.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ya / todavía
Spanish 'todavía' covers both still and yet.
déjà / encore
French 'encore' is context-dependent.
schon / noch
German word order is more flexible.
mou / mada
Japanese particles are essential.
qad / la-yazal
Arabic relies on verb aspect.
yijing / haishi
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
Too, Too Much, Too Many & Enough
## Too **Too** means "more than needed/wanted" — it expresses a problem. - **too + adjective:** This soup is **too** h...
Permission: Can, May, Be Allowed To, Be Supposed To
## Can — Everyday Permission The most common way to give, ask for, or deny permission: - **Can** I use your phone? (as...
Auxiliary Verbs: Do, Be & Have in Questions and Negatives
## What Are Auxiliary Verbs? Auxiliary (helping) verbs work **alongside the main verb** to form tenses, questions, and...
Indefinite Pronouns: Something, Anything, Nothing, Everyone
## The Four Groups | | People | Things | Places | |---|---|---|---| | **some-** | someone | something | somewhere | | *...
Most, Most of & The Most: Expressing the Largest Amount
## Most + Noun (General) Use **most** (without "the") for general statements about the majority: - **Most** people wan...
