"Still" and "Yet" "Again" and "Already" are words
which often cause trouble for students of English. So let's try and
distinguish clearly between them.
The problem arises
because other
languages do not have an equivalent choice of words, and one word
covers different meanings; French encore and German noch,
for example, can be either "still" or "yet", and sometimes even
"always" or "already" in English. Dictionaries don't always
clearly
distinguish between the different uses.
1.
STILL implies a continuing
action, and is generally used in affirmative
sentences;
for example:
A1
The
computer is still analysing the data.
A2 They
were still talking at midnight.
The action is continuous, and the verb tense with still in this sense
is usually a progressive form, except with be, have and verbs of
primary perception, as in
A3
I
still have that picture you gave me.
A4 I
can still see him.
or when referring to habitual action:
A5
She
still shops at Sainsbury's.
1b. No longer: STILL
is not
often found in negative sentences: to avoid confusion, it is usually
replaced by no
longer (or
not ... any more) . Note: "no
more" should not be used.
The negative versions of examples A1 - A3 could be:
B1
The
computer is not analysing the data any more
B2 They
were no longer talking at midnight.
B21:
but not:
They
were no more talking
at midnight.
B3
I no longer have that picture you gave me.
IMPORTANT: When still
is used with not,
the position of still before or after the "not" is vital for
determining the meaning of the sentence!! If still comes before the
verb, this does not mean that an action has stopped, but that it has
not yet
begun. For example:
B 31 I
still do
not have the picture means that
I am waiting to receive it, I have not yet received it.
However
B
32 I
do not
still have the picture means the same as
I
no longer have the picture.
TIP:
to
avoid mistakes, do not use STILL in negative contexts! There are always
alternative expressions !
1c. STILL
and ALWAYS:
These words are NOT synonymous in English. By using "still", one
implies that an action is not permanent, and will be terminated at some
moment. By using "always", one implies that an action is permanent and
is not likely to be terminated.
B
41 He's
still waiting for the bus.
B 42 He
always goes home by bus.
2. YET,
normally accompanied by NOT,
implies non-commenced
action.
It is most commonly found in negative
statements - but it is not a simple negative equivalent of
still. It does not
imply discontinued action, i.e. action that has finished. For
example:
C1.
The
computer has not yet analysed the data.
C4. I
can't yet see him (he hasn't appeared).
YET
is very rare
in affirmative
statements. However it is used in affirmative questions:
C5
Have you yet read the new Harry Potter book ?
TIP:
to avoid mistakes, do not use
YET in affirmative statements.
3 ALREADY
implies terminated
action. In British English, already is normally used with
a present perfect; American speakers often use it with a preterite.
Examples;
D1
I've
already been to London three times.
D2 We
already went to Chicago twice this year.
4 CONFUSION
is easiest in QUESTIONS:
the difference between continuing action (still) and incipient
(beginning) action (yet)
is fundamental. When a person asks a question, they may not know if an
action is commenced, or terminated; the word "yet" leaves this
option open, as in example D5.
Compare:
D1 He's used the new machine for a
year now; can he still remember how to use the old one?
D2 He's
only lived here for a week: has he yet found out where the best
pizzeria is?
D3
Can you see anything yet? (Open question,
meaning "Have you
started to see something?")
D4 Can
you still see anything? (Question meaning: "Is it still visible?")
D5 Have
you yet had any rain ? (Open question implying "Maybe you have, maybe you have
not".)
5. AGAIN always
implies repeated
action
E1
I
went to Paris last week, and I went there again this week.
E2 You
haven't broken your CD-player again, have you?
RECAPITULATION
|
Affirmative context |
Negative context |
Interrogative
context |
| (Non)-commenced
action |
|
not yet |
yet |
| Continuing action |
still |
no longer, (not still) |
still |
| Terminated action |
already |
no longer |
yet / already |
| Repeated action |
again |
again |
again |
|
