A. Still
An hour ago it was raining.
The rain hasn’t stopped
It is still raining now.
still = something is the same as before:
- I had a lot to eat but I’m still hungry. (= I was hungry before and I’m hungry now)
- ‘Did you sell your car?’ ‘No, I’ve still got it.’
- ‘Do you still live in Barcelona?’ ‘No, I live in Madrid now’
B yet
Twenty minutes ago they were waiting for Bill.
They are still waiting for Bill.
Bill hasn’t come yet.
yet = until now:
We use yet in negative sentences (He hasn’t come yet.) and in questions (Has he come yet?).
Yet is usually at the end of a sentence:
- A: Where’s Diane?
B: She isn‘t here yet. (= she will be here but until now she hasn’t come)
- A: What are you doing this evening?
B: I don‘t know yet. (= I will know later but I don’t know at the moment)
- A: Are you ready to go yet?
B: Not yet. Wait a moment. (= I will be ready but I’m not ready at the moment)
- A: Have you finished with the newspaper yet?
B: No, I’m still reading it.
Compare yet and still:
- She hasn’t gone yet. = She’s still here, (not ‘She is yet here’)
- I haven’t finished eating yet. = I’m still eating.
C already = earlier than expected:
- ‘What time is John arriving?’ ‘He’s already here.’ (= earlier than we expected)
- ‘I’m going to tell you what happened.’ ‘That’s not necessary. 1 already know’
- Ann doesn’t want to go to the cinema. She has already seen the film.