These three adverbs help us talk about time relative to the present: ongoing actions (still), expected actions not yet done (yet), and actions completed earlier than expected (already). They are common in everyday and business English, especially in emails, status updates and meeting reports.
still: emphasizes that a situation continues (often with BE, continuous tenses or negatives).
yet: used in questions and negatives to ask or say if something happened up to now (often at the end).
already: indicates that something happened earlier than expected (appears before the main verb or at the end).
Table
Quick Reference: still / yet / already
Adverb
Use
Common position
Example
still
An ongoing situation; something continues now
Before main verb (or after BE): before main verb or after auxiliary
She is still in the office.
yet
Used in negatives and questions to ask if something has happened up to now
Usually at the end of the sentence
Have you sent the contract yet?
already
Indicates something happened earlier than expected or before now
Before main verb (after auxiliary) or at the end
I have already sent the contract.
Tip
Key rules to remember
Placement and sentence type determine which adverb to use:
Use still for ongoing states: position before the main verb or after BE (She still works / She is still working).
Use yet in questions and negatives, usually at the end: Have you finished yet? / I haven't finished yet.
Use already to say something happened earlier than expected; put it before the main verb (with auxiliaries) or at the end: I have already checked it. / I checked it already.
Remember: yet = questions/negatives (end); already = completed (before verb or end); still = continuing (before verb or after BE).
Example
Examples in context
The presentation is still running; please wait in the lobby.
Have you reviewed the monthly report yet?
I have already emailed the updated spreadsheet to the team.
We still need one signature before we can finalize the contract.
Tip
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
Learners often mix placement or choose the wrong adverb. Watch for these errors:
Incorrect: I didn't finished yet. → Correct: I haven't finished yet. (use auxiliary + past participle)
Incorrect: Do you already send the file? → Correct: Have you already sent the file? or Did you send the file already? (use perfect or place already correctly)
Incorrect: I still have sent the invoice. → Correct: I have still not sent the invoice. / I still haven't sent the invoice. (still with negatives requires correct auxiliary order)
Placing yet in affirmative statements is usually wrong when you mean 'already' (Use 'already' in affirmatives).
Tip: check sentence type (affirmative/negative/question) first — this tells you whether to use yet, already or still.
Quiz
Choose the sentence that uses 'yet' correctly:
Hint: Is this sentence affirmative, negative, or a question?
Correct!
'Yet' is commonly used in negative sentences and questions to indicate that something has not happened up to now; it is usually placed at the end.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: I haven't finished the presentation yet.
'Yet' is commonly used in negative sentences and questions to indicate that something has not happened up to now; it is usually placed at the end.
Quiz
Complete: I have _____ sent the invoice.
Hint: The invoice was sent before now. What does that timing suggest?
Correct!
'Already' is used to say that something happened before now or earlier than expected; it commonly appears between the auxiliary and the main verb in present perfect.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: already
'Already' is used to say that something happened before now or earlier than expected; it commonly appears between the auxiliary and the main verb in present perfect.
Quiz
Which sentence correctly uses 'still'?
Hint: The situation continues - no reply has come. Which adverb expresses continuation?
Correct!
'Still' indicates that the situation continues (the reply has not arrived up to now). In negative sentences it commonly appears before the auxiliary+not or before the main verb depending on structure.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: He still hasn't replied to the client.
'Still' indicates that the situation continues (the reply has not arrived up to now). In negative sentences it commonly appears before the auxiliary+not or before the main verb depending on structure.
Key Points
Vocabulary
still
adverbCEFR B1//stɪl//
continuing to happen or exist up to a point in time
The manager is still reviewing the proposal.
Vocabulary
yet
adverbCEFR B1//jɛt//
used in questions and negatives to ask or say if something has happened up to now
Have you sent the invoice yet?
Vocabulary
already
adverbCEFR B1//ɔːlˈrɛdi/ /ˌɔːlˈrɛdi//
before now; earlier than expected
I've already completed the summary for the meeting.
GrammarPoint
placement rules (still/yet/already)
grammar_pointCEFR B2//ˈpleɪsmənt rʊlz//
rules about where to place still, yet and already in different sentence types
In questions use 'yet' at the end: 'Has the team signed yet?'