Grammar › Verb Tenses › Already, Yet, Just & Still
Already, Yet, Just & Still
Four adverbs that fine-tune the present perfect (and other tenses):
- already — sooner than expected, positives (I've already done it).
- yet — until now, negatives & questions, at the end (not yet; …yet?).
- just — a moment ago, positives (I've just arrived).
- still — continuing/surprising, before the verb (I still haven't packed).
Position matters: already/just go mid-sentence; yet goes at the end; still goes before the main verb (or 'haven't').
already, yet, just, still
| Adverb | Meaning | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| already | sooner than expected (positive) | before the main verb | I’ve already finished. |
| yet | up to now (negative/question) | end of sentence | Have you finished yet? |
| just | a very short time ago (positive) | before the main verb | She’s just left. |
| still | continuing (often surprise) | before the verb / ‘haven’t’ | I still haven’t heard. |
When to use each
1. already — sooner than expected
- We’ve already seen this film. He’s already gone home.
2. yet — up to now (negatives and questions)
- I haven’t read it yet. Has the post arrived yet?
3. just — a moment ago
- The train has just left. I’ve just finished lunch.
4. still — it continues
- She’s still waiting. They still haven’t replied.
⚠️ Position: already/just go between have and the participle (I’ve just arrived); yet goes at the end (not yet); still goes before the verb (I still don’t know).
Common mistakes
1. ‘yet’ in a positive. I’ve finished yet → I’ve already finished (or I’ve just finished).
2. ‘already’ at the end. I’ve seen it already… yet? mixing → keep them separate: I’ve already seen it.
3. Wrong position for ‘still’. I haven’t still finished → I still haven’t finished. Pro tip: already/just = positive & mid-sentence; yet = negative/question & at the end; still = it’s still going on.
✏️ Practice: Already, Yet, Just & Still
1. Have you finished your homework ___ ?
2. I've ___ eaten, thanks — I'm full.
3. The film has ___ started — we're two minutes late.
4. It's midday and she ___ hasn't got up.
5. Where does 'yet' go? 'I haven't seen ___ .'
6. A: Do you want lunch? B: No thanks, I've ___ had some.
7. Are we there ___ ?
8. He started an hour ago and he's ___ working.
9. Correct this: 'I've finished yet my report.'
10. Which adverb is used in NEGATIVES and QUESTIONS at the end?
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 'already' and 'yet'?
'Already' is for positives — something happened sooner than expected (I've already paid). 'Yet' is for negatives and questions — up to now (I haven't paid yet; Have you paid yet?).
Where does 'yet' go?
At the end of a negative or question: Has the bus come yet? It hasn't arrived yet.
What does 'just' mean here?
A very short time ago: I've just seen him; The film has just started. It goes between 'have' and the past participle.
How is 'still' different from 'yet'?
'Still' stresses that a situation continues, often with surprise: I still haven't finished (I expected to). 'Yet' simply asks/says whether it has happened up to now.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Already, Yet, Just & Still”:
- Can use already, yet, just and still with the present perfect (CEFR B1).
- Can place each adverb correctly in the sentence.
- Can choose 'already/just' for positives and 'yet' for negatives/questions.
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