Still, Yet, Already, Just: What’s the Difference?

Hello English learners! In today’s lesson, we are going to look at four very common adverbs in English: still, yet, already, just.

These small words are used all the time in everyday English, but they can be confusing because they are all connected to time. Many learners mix them up, especially when using the Present Perfect.

The good news is that the difference is quite clear once you see how they work in context.

In this lesson, you will learn:

• what still, yet, already, and just mean
• where they usually go in a sentence
• how to use them correctly
• common mistakes to avoid
• useful example sentences

Let’s take them one by one.

Still

We use still to say that a situation or action is continuing.

In other words, something started earlier and has not stopped.

Position in the sentence

Still usually goes in the middle of the sentence, often before the main verb.

Examples

• At ten o’clock last night, the bakery was still open.
• Are you still looking for an apartment?
• Can you believe Brian still lives with his parents?
• I’m still waiting for her reply.
• They are still talking about the same problem.

Still at the end of a sentence

In spoken English, especially informal speech, you may sometimes hear still at the end of a sentence.

For example:

• Do you live at the same address still?

This is possible in conversation, but in most cases, especially in writing, Do you still live at the same address? sounds more natural and standard.

Yet

We use yet to mean until now.

It is usually used when we expect something to happen, but it has not happened up to the present moment, or when we are asking whether it has happened.

Position in the sentence

Yet usually goes at the end of the sentence.

We usually use yet in:

• negative sentences
• questions

Examples

• Have you finished your homework yet?
• I haven’t finished my homework yet.
• Has the post arrived yet?
• We haven’t heard from them yet.
• Is dinner ready yet?

Important note

We do not normally use yet in affirmative statements.

So we say:

• She has already packed her bag.

Not:

• She has packed her bag yet.

That sentence is incorrect.

Still vs Yet

Learners often confuse still and yet, but the difference is quite simple.

• Still shows that something is continuing
• Yet shows that something has not happened up to now

Compare:

• It’s still snowing.
  = The snow has not stopped.
• It hasn’t stopped snowing yet.
  = Up to now, it has not stopped.

Here is another pair:

• She is still asleep.
• She hasn’t woken up yet.

Both sentences describe a similar situation, but from different angles.

Already

We use already to say that something happened before now, often sooner than expected.

It shows that the action is complete, and sometimes there is an element of surprise.

Position in the sentence

Already usually goes:

• between the auxiliary and the main verb in perfect tenses
• sometimes at the end for emphasis, especially in informal speech

Examples

• Darren has already left. He was here a minute ago.
• I’ve already seen that film.
• They had already picked up the children before they came here.
• We’ve already booked our holiday.
• She’s already told me the news.

Compare already and yet

• Have you done your homework yet?
• Yes, I’ve already done it.

That is a very common and useful contrast.

Just

We use just to mean a very short time ago.

It is very common with the Present Perfect when we talk about something that happened very recently.

Position in the sentence

Just usually goes between the auxiliary and the main verb.

Examples

• I’ve just seen the postman.
• Mum has just finished cooking lunch.
• They’ve just arrived.
• We’ve just had breakfast.
• She’s just called you.

In all these examples, just means a moment ago or very recently.

Just can also mean “exactly” or “only”

This word has other meanings too.

For example:

• You arrived just in time.
• It’s just a joke.

But when learners study still, yet, already, and just, the most important meaning is usually very recently.

A quick comparison

Let’s compare all four words:

• She is still doing her homework.
• She hasn’t finished her homework yet.
• She has already finished the first exercise.
• She has just started the second one.

This shows how each word gives us a different time-related meaning.

Common mistakes learners make

1. Using yet in affirmative sentences

Incorrect:

• I have finished my homework yet.

Correct:

• I have already finished my homework.

2. Putting yet in the wrong position

Incorrect:

• I yet haven’t seen him.

Correct:

• I haven’t seen him yet.

3. Confusing still and yet

Incorrect:

• I haven’t finished still.

Correct:

• I haven’t finished yet.

Or:

• I am still doing it.

4. Using just with the wrong meaning

Be careful: just can mean different things.

• I’ve just eaten. = a short time ago
• I just want to ask something. = only
• That is just what I meant. = exactly

Context matters.

Expressions with just

Here are a few useful expressions with just.

Just about

Meaning: almost

• I’ve just about finished my report.
• We were just about to leave when the phone rang.

Just like that

Meaning: suddenly; without warning; very easily

• He moved to Australia, just like that.
• She ended the conversation just like that and walked away.

Just as well

Meaning: it is a good or lucky thing that

• It’s just as well we brought umbrellas, because it looks like rain.
• It was just as well that we left early.

Quick summary

Here is the main idea:

• still = the situation continues
• yet = up to now, usually in negatives and questions
• already = sooner than expected; before now
• just = a very short time ago

Final thoughts

Still, yet, already, and just are small words, but they are extremely important in English. They help us express time more clearly and more naturally, especially when we talk about actions that continue, have not happened, happened sooner than expected, or happened a moment ago.

If you want your English to sound more fluent and accurate, it is well worth learning how to use these four adverbs correctly.

The best way to remember them is not simply to memorise rules, but to notice them in real sentences and start using them in your own speaking and writing.