ย
ALREADY, STILL, YET, JUST
1. ALREADY
โAlreadyโ is used to indicate that something has happened earlier.
It is used in the mid-position of the sentence, and is usually used with Present Perfect.
In American English, it is also possible to use โalreadyโ with the Simple Past.
For example,
British English:
- I have already done my homework.
- He has already washed the car.
American English:
- I already did my homework.
- He already washed the car.
ย
2. STILL
โStillโย is used to indicate a continuous action, and is used in affirmative sentences. โ
Stillโ is used in the mid-position of the sentence, and is usually used with Present Continuous (Progressive).
For example,
- I am still doing my homework.
- He is still washing his car.
โStillโ requires the use or Progressive forms, except for the verbs be, haveย and verbs of primary perception* or when you want to indicate a habitual situationย (HABIT).
For example,
- I stillย haveย the book that you gave me.
- I amย stillย a strong guy.
- I can stillย hear< him.
- I stillย seeย her outside.
- She stillย <goes jogging in the park. โ HABIT
- He stillย shops at TARGET. โ HABIT
NOTE: โstillโ is not often used in negative sentences. It is usually replaced by โnotโฆanymoreโย or โno longerโ
For example,
- I no longer< have the book that you gave me.
- I am notย a strong guy anymore.
* Verbs of primary perception: see, hear, taste, smell, listen, feel, watch.
Recommended for you:
What does OFF mean?
List of Sentence Connectors in English with Examples!
When to Use THIS and IT in English?
Difference Between VERY, TOO and ENOUGH!
ย
3. YET
โYetโ is used to talk about something that is expected to happen, but did not happen till this moment. โYetโย means at any time up to now.
โYetโย is used in interrogative (questions) and negative sentences.
โYetโย is usually used with Present Perfect. โYetโย is used in the end of the sentence.
For example,
- Have you finished your homework yet? โ Interrogative
- I havenโt washed my car yet. โ Negative
โYetโย is very rarely used in affirmative sentences, but when it is used, it implies a negative.
For example,
- I have yet to read the โHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fireโ book = I have not read the โHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fireโ book yet, but I will probably read it soon.
ย
4. JUST
โJustโย is used when we want to indicate that something happened a short time ago (very recently).
It is always used with Present Perfectย or Past Perfect.
It is used between the auxiliary verb (have/has) and past participle.
โJustโย can be used in affirmative and interrogative sentences.
For example,
- Iโve just called my grandmother. (Present Perfect)
- Have you just called your grandmother? (Present Perfect)
- We had just< finished dinner. (Past Perfect)
NOTE: In American Englishย โjustโย can be used with Simple Past.
For example,
- I just saw him outside.
- I just called my grandmother.
ย
Recommended for you:
How to use โjustโ? Can you explain the meaning of this โฆ
Whatโs the difference between Present Perfect Simple andย Present Perfect Continuous?
Other ways to say โjust kiddingโ
Difference Between โJustโ and โOnlyโ [Infographic]