Three little words. One big headache.
If you've ever stopped mid-sentence wondering whether to say "I already ate" or "I ate yet" — you're not alone. Already, yet, and still are easy to mix up. But once you know the logic behind each one, they click into place.
Let me break them down the way I explain them to my own students.
Still — The One for Ongoing Situations
Use still when something continues longer than expected. It tells the listener: "This situation hasn't finished."
Think of it as the "ongoing" button.
- I'm still waiting for the bus. (I started waiting before, and I'm waiting now.)
- She still hasn't replied to my email. (I expected a reply by now, but nothing.)
- Are you still living in Berlin?
A common mistake? Putting still at the end of the sentence. In standard English, still sits before the main verb but after the verb to be.
✅ He still works there.
❌ He works there still.
Already — The "Sooner Than Expected" Adverb
Already signals that something happened earlier than you thought it would. It often carries a feeling of surprise, relief, or even mild frustration.
- I already finished the report. (And you said it would take all day! Surprise.)
- The movie already started. (We're late. Mild frustration.)
- He's already back from his trip?
Like still, already goes before the main verb (or after be). In British English, you'll also hear it in present perfect sentences. In American English, simple past is common.
✅ I've already seen that film. (UK)
✅ I already saw that film. (US)
Yet — The Question and Negative Word
Here's where most learners slip up.
Yet belongs to two places:
- Questions — asking if something has happened up to now.
- Negative sentences — saying something hasn't happened, but you expect it to.
- Have you finished your homework yet?
- No, I haven't finished yet.
Notice something? Yet usually goes at the end of the sentence.
A classic error is using yet in positive statements.
❌ I have yet eaten dinner.
✅ I haven't eaten dinner yet.
Yet in positive sentences only works in very formal or literary English ("I have yet to meet him"), but for everyday speech — stick to negatives and questions.
Quick Comparison Table
| Adverb | Meaning | Sentence Type | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Still | Continuing, not finished | Positive / Negative | Before main verb |
| Already | Done sooner than expected | Positive | Before main verb |
| Yet | Up to now (not done) | Negative / Question | End of sentence |
Test Yourself — Are You Ready?
Here's a quick mental check. Fill in the blank with still, already, or yet.
- I've been cooking for an hour, and I'm ______ not done.
- The taxi is ______ here — that was fast!
- Have you booked the hotel ______?
Answers: 1. still, 2. already, 3. yet.
If you got them right — great. If not, bookmark this page and come back tomorrow. You'll notice the pattern faster than you expect.
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