Still, Any More, Yet, Already

Still: the Situation Continues

Use still to say that a situation or action is continuing. It has not changed or stopped.

• It’s 10 a.m. and the report still isn’t ready.
• When I left the office, Alan was still working on the proposal.
• Do you still want to reschedule the meeting, or have you changed your mind?

Still can also mean “in spite of this”:

• He has all the qualifications he needs, but he’s still not confident about the interview.

Still usually goes in the middle of the sentence, with the verb.

Not … Any More / Not … Any Longer: the Situation Has Changed

Use not … any more or not … any longer to say that a situation has changed. Any more and any longer go at the end of the sentence.

• Karen doesn’t work here any more. She transferred last month. (or *… any longer*)
• We used to have weekly meetings, but we don’t any more.

You can write any more (two words) or anymore (one word).

You can also use no longer. It goes in the middle of the sentence:

• Karen no longer works here.

Do not use “no more” in this way:

• We are no longer partners. (not We are no more partners.)

Compare still and not … any more:

• David still works in the London office, but Karen doesn’t work there any more.

Yet: Until Now (Negatives and Questions)

Use yet mainly in negative sentences and questions. It means “until now” and shows the speaker expects something to happen. Yet usually goes at the end of the sentence.

• It’s 10 o’clock and the client isn’t here yet.
• Have you finished the quarterly report yet?
• “Where are we holding the conference?” — “We don’t know yet.”

Yet is often used with the present perfect (Have you decided yet?).

Comparing yet and still

• Mike left the company six months ago and is still looking for a new role.
• Mike left the company six months ago and hasn’t found a new role yet.
• Is it still raining?
• Has it stopped raining yet?

Still in negative sentences

Still is also possible in negative sentences. It goes before the negative word:

• She said she would send the file an hour ago and she still hasn’t sent it.

This is similar to “she hasn’t sent it yet,” but still … not shows a stronger feeling of surprise or impatience. Compare:

• I emailed the supplier last week. They haven’t replied yet. (but I expect they will reply soon)
• I emailed the supplier weeks ago and they still haven’t replied. (they should have replied before now)

Already: Sooner Than Expected

Use already to say that something happened sooner than expected.

• “What time is the delivery arriving?” — “It has already arrived.” (sooner than you expected)
• Shall I explain the new procedure, or do you already know?
• I’ve just had lunch and I’m already hungry.

Already usually goes in the middle of the sentence or at the end:

• She’s already left. or She’s left already.

Quick Self-Check