Explanation
Exercises
Already vs Still vs Yet
time-focus adverbs position in the clause present perfect & more

What do they mean?

  • already something happened earlier than expected or earlier than “now”.
    She has already finished.
  • still a situation is continuing — it began before and is true now.
    He still lives with his parents.
  • yet “up to now”; used mainly in negatives and questions.
    Have they arrived yet? / They haven’t arrived yet.

All three are frequent with the present perfect, but they can also appear with other tenses.

Quick position map

AdverbUsual positionExamples
already mid position: after an auxiliary / before the main verb; after be when it’s a main verb; end position possible She has already left. / They are already ready. / He finished already.
still mid position: after the subject and before the verb (including be or an auxiliary) She still hasn’t called. / He is still at work.
yet normally at the end (questions/negatives). In formal English: be/verb + yet to + V Have you eaten yet? / We haven’t eaten yet. / We are yet to receive a reply.

already

  • Positive I’ve already seen that film.
  • Questions (surprise) Have you already finished? (=earlier than expected)
  • Past simple (esp. AmE) I already told you. In BrE, present perfect is more typical for “news”.
  • End position informal or emphatic: Stop complaining already!

still

  • Continuing situation It’s still raining.
  • Negative persistence She still hasn’t replied. (=the delay annoys me)
  • With modals We can still catch the train. / They might still win.
  • Not at the end End-position is possible in some dialects (Are you there still?) but standard usage keeps it mid-clause.

yet

  • Negatives & questions Has the bus come yet? / The bus hasn’t come yet.
  • Best/most so far after comparatives/superlatives: her best song yet, the most popular design yet.
  • as yet formal “up to now”: As yet, no solution has emerged.
  • yet another “one more (often negative)”: yet another delay.
  • Conjunction yet meaning “but/however”: Simple, yet effective. This is different from time-adverb yet.

Choosing between them

Meaning goalUseModel sentenceNotes
Earlier than expected already They’ve already started. Shows surprise or speed.
Continuing state still He still hasn’t packed. Often sounds impatient/critical.
“Up to now” (expectation of change) yet (negatives/questions) Have you finished yet? / I haven’t finished yet. Neutral about speed; completion is expected later.

still not vs not … yet

  • still not = continuing failure She still hasn’t called. (I’m frustrated.)
  • not … yet = incomplete so far She hasn’t called yet. (I expect a call later.)
  • Word order still goes before the auxiliary; yet goes at the end.

Usage hints & common pitfalls

  • Already with be/have: We’re already late. / I’ve already eaten.
  • Don’t mix: ✘ Have you already finished yet? → ✔ Have you already finished? / ✔ Have you finished yet?
  • Not any more / no longer are the opposites of still: He no longer works here. (= He doesn’t work here any more.)
Exercises:
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Already vs Still vs Yet

Choose the correct words to complete these sentences.
1
I’ve finished the assignment, so I can help you.
2
She hasn’t replied .
3
Are you watching that series, or can I start it?
4
Have you booked the table for tonight?
5
Have they called ?
6
It’s 10 a.m., and they haven’t arrived.
7
The museum isn’t open .
8
After ten minutes, the soup is too hot to eat.
9
We’ve had lunch—let’s meet at three.
10
I haven’t finished my homework .

Already vs Still vs Yet

Choose the correct words to complete these sentences.
1
Have you finished your assignment ____?
A.
B.
C.
2
She has ____ moved to London — it happened last month.
A.
B.
C.
3
Are you ____ working on the report, or can we submit it?
A.
B.
C.
4
I haven't met the new manager ____.
A.
B.
C.
5
It's midnight and the kids are ____ awake.
A.
B.
C.
6
We’ve ____ booked the tickets, so you don’t need to check.
A.
B.
C.
7
He ____ hasn’t replied to my email.
A.
B.
C.
8
Has the parcel arrived ____?
A.
B.
C.
9
I’ve ____ told you not to click that link!
A.
B.
C.
10
They haven’t decided which hotel to stay in ____.
A.
B.
C.

Already vs Still vs Yet

Re-write these sentences adding the word in brackets in the correct place.
1
I finished the assignment. (already) ⇒ I have finished the assignment.
2
The movie has not started. (yet) ⇒ The movie has not started .
3
He is waiting outside. (still) ⇒ He is waiting outside.
4
Have you booked the table? (yet) ⇒ Have you booked the table ?
5
The kitchen is clean. (already) ⇒ The kitchen is clean.
6
They do not understand the rules. (still) ⇒ They do not understand the rules.
7
Have you seen this episode? (already) ⇒ Have you seen this episode?
8
She is at work. (still) ⇒ She is at work.
9
I have not finished my breakfast. (yet) ⇒ I have not finished my breakfast .
10
The invitations have been sent. (already) ⇒ The invitations have been sent.