Page 249 - Basic English Usage

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330 still, yet and already

Meanings
Still, yet and already are all used to talk about things which are going on,
or expected, around the present. We use these words to say whether
something is in the past, the present or the future.
Still says that something is in the present, not the past — it has not
finished.

She's still asleep.
It’s still raining.
Not yet says that something is in the future, not the present or past. We
are waiting for it.
‘Has Sally arrived?’ ‘Not yet.’
The postman hasn’t come yet.
In questions, yet asks whether something is in the future or not.
Has the postman come yet?
Already says that something is in the present or past, not the future —
perhaps it has happened sooner than we expected.

‘When's Sally going to come?’ ‘She's already here.’
‘You must go to Scotland.’ ‘I've already been.’
Position
Already and still go in ‘mid-position’ (see 13.2).

He's already gone.
(Nore | was fourteen | already knew that | wanted to be a doctor.

She's still working.
| still remember your first birthday.
Yet usually goes at the end of a clause.

She hasn't gone yet.
} haven't done the shopping yet.
Tenses
We usually use already and yet with the present perfect tense in British
English.
She hasn’t gone yet.
I’ve already forgotten.
For other meanings of sti//and yet, see a good dictionary.
For the meaning of ever, see 116.