GLOW: Grammar Lessons On the Web

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Adverbs: already, still, yet

We use already to indicate that something happened before now. It usually means that it happened before expected.

Place already before the verb or at the end of the sentence.

It's raining already.
It's already raining.

I'm surprised. I thought it wouldn't rain until later.

We use still to indicate that a situation or an action is continuing. In a negative sentence, still shows impatience or irritation.

Place still before the verb.

It's still raining.

It has been raining for a while and it continues to rain.

It still hasn't rained.

I was expecting it to rain, but it isn't raining now.


We use yet to indicate that we are expecting something to happen. It is  used in negative sentences or questions.

Place yet at the end of a sentence.

Is it raining yet?

I am asking if it has started to rain.

It hasn't started to rain yet.

I am saying that it's not raining, but I expect rain soon.

Note: There's another meaning of the word yet. It means the same thing as "however" when it is used as a conjunction to show contrast.

Congressman Booth is a big man with a loud voice, yet he's very kind to people.

Shakespeare wrote plays for common people in the 16th Century, yet they are remembered today for their intellectual power and their understanding of human nature.

Adverb placement with perfect tenses

Already and still can be used in mid-sentence to modify the verb. However, look how they are placed in present perfect and past perfect verb phrases.

Thank you.  I have already eaten dinner.

I had already eaten dinner when Tina arrived.

I'm very angry. Bobby still hasn't come home to dinner.

Bobby still hadn't come home when we had to leave for the concert.

I've still got two hours to work before I can go home.

John had still loved Mary even after she had forsaken him for Ted.

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