Does Yet in English have any other uses besides indicating the Present Perfect tense? Distinguishing the usage of Yet, Still, Just, and Already

Yet - in addition to its function as a marker of the Present Perfect tense, when combined with other words/phrases, it can take on multiple layers of meaning. In this article, let's explore the definition of Yet in English, the differences, and the most accurate usages of Yet, Still, Just, and Already together with PREP. Read now!

I. What is Yet in English?

What is Yet in English? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Yet functions as an adverb and a conjunction.

• As an adverb, Yet indicates time, meaning: still; until the present time. For example: My boyfriend hasn't spoken to me yet. From this example, we can conclude that Yet is indeed the marker of the Present Perfect tense in English.
• Yet also functions as a conjunction, meaning: (and) despite that; used to add something that seems surprising because of what you have just said. For example: Benny is overweight and bald, (and) yet somehow, he's attractive. 

II. Summary of ways to use Yet in English

So when do we use Yet in English? What are the differences between the usages of Yet in English? Let's see the following examples together with PREP to understand more clearly:

1. Yet acts as an adverb

Yet in English is used as a time adverb to express events that still have not happened until the present time. Yet indicates which tense? Yet is often used in negative sentences, interrogative sentences in the Present Perfect tense, and often stands in the final position of the sentence. For example:

• Jennie hasn’t registered for dancing class yet. 
• I haven’t finished my dinner yet. 
• Have you done your homework? - Not yet. 

Note:

• We do not use Yet to describe something that has already happened, instead we use "Already". For example:
  • Ms.Tiffany has booked the flights already. ✅
  • Ms.Tiffany has booked the flights yet. ❌
• We do not use Yet to talk about ongoing events in the present. For example:
  • Eliz is still living in the United States. She’s not moving to Korea until next month. ✅
  • Eliz is living yet in the United States. She’s not moving to Korea till next month/ Elizabeth is yet living in the United States. She’s not moving to Korea till next month. ❌

1.1. Using Yet in Negative sentences

When we use Yet in Negative sentences, it shows an expected event that will happen in the future. For example:

• Jackson hasn’t phoned me yet. ➞ I am expecting Jackson to call me.
• I haven’t seen “Iron Man” yet. ➞ I really want to watch the movie ‘Iron Man’.

1.2 Using Yet in Interrogative sentences

When we use Yet in Affirmative questions, it shows the speaker is expecting something to happen. For example:

• Is my father home yet? ➞ Hoping dad is home.
• Has your passport arrived yet? ➞ Hoping you have your passport by now.

Negative questions with Yet can express expectation, anticipation, and even stronger hope that something will occur. When using this type of question, we are expecting a negative response. When we use this type of question, we expect a negative answer. For example:

• A: Hasn’t Robert arrived at the airport yet? ➞ Hoping he has reached the airport by now.
• B: Yes, he has. 
• A: Haven’t you done your driving test yet? ➞ Hoping you have your driver's license by now.
• B: Yes, I have. 

1.3. Using Yet in Affirmative sentences

When we use Yet in Affirmative sentences, it shows a situation or event that is still incomplete in the present and will continue in the near future. For example:

• There’s plenty of time yet. ➞ Indicates there is still time left to complete a task or duty.
• We’ve got a lot more work to do yet. ➞ Indicates the work is still not finished.

1.4 Using Yet in Superlative sentences

We often use yet at the end of Superlative sentences to express excitement, related to someone's achievements. For example:

• Brook’s latest film is his best yet! ➞ This is John's best film since he began making films.
• One hour and 25 minutes – that’s John's fastest marathon yet! ➞ John has never achieved this record before.

2. Yet acts as a conjunction

When acting as a conjunction, Yet functions similarly in sentences as "but" with the meaning of "although" or "however" to indicate contrast, commonly coming after "and". For example:

• So many questions and yet so few answers. (There are so many questions but so few answers.)
• It felt strange and yet so wonderful to ski in the summer! (It feels strange but also wonderful to ski in the summer!)

3. Yet used for emphasis

We can use Yet in English to add emphasis, expressing an increase in quantity or frequency of something occurring. It has a similar meaning to "even" or "still", commonly coming before "more, another, again". For example:

• The guest arrived with yet another big plate of cake. 
• The cook’s broken down yet again! 

4. “As yet” 

We use “As yet” with the meaning: up to now, but the situation will definitely change. For example:

• Gigel has not as yet completed the assignment. 
• As yet, they have not found a solution to the problem. 

5. Distinguishing between “Have yet to” and “Be yet to”

We use "Have yet to" and "Be yet to" in formal contexts to refer to events that are necessary or which must happen at some time, but which have not happened at the time of speaking. For example:

• The price of the tickets for the concert has yet to be announced. 
• The Minister and his wife are yet to arrive. arrive. 

III. Words and phrases associated with Yet in English

Let's explore the words and phrases that are commonly used with Yet in English together with PREP through the examples provided below!

IV. Distinguishing the usage of Yet, Still, Just, and Already

At present, many of you are still confusing the usage of Yet, Still, Just, and Already in the Present Perfect tense. Let's learn together with PREP about the differences in meaning and position in sentences of these four words.

V. Exercises on using Yet in English with answers

Let’s reinforce the usage of Yet in English by practicing the exercises below!

1. Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer

1. Have you finished your homework_______?
   1. Yet
   2. Still
   3. Just
2. I have been waiting for the bus for an hour, and it_______hasn't arrived.
   1. Yet
   2. Still
   3. Just
3. Maria has_______left the office, so you might catch her if you hurry.
   1. Yet
   2. Still
   3. Just
4. They have_______booked their tickets for the concert.
   1. Still
   2. Yet
   3. Already
5. Fiona won't be back for a long time_______.
   1. Yet
   2. Still
   3. Just

Exercise 2: Write complete sentences and use the word Yet in the appropriate position.

1. She/ has/ complete/ all/ the assignments/.
2. They/ haven’t/ announce/ the winner/ of/ the competition/.
3. Have/ you/ finish/ the report/?
4. food/ she/ tasted/ has/ not/ the/.
5. stopped/ yet/ my/ working/ phone’s/ again/!

2. Answer

Exercise 1:

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. C
5. A

Exercise 2:

1. She has completed all the assignments yet.
2. They haven't announced the winner of the competition yet.
3. Have you finished the report yet?
4. She has not tasted the food yet.
5. My phone’s stopped working yet again!

PREP hopes the article about the usage of Yet in English that PREP provided above has helped you understand this English vocabulary better. Regularly visit PREP's Blog to update more useful knowledge! Wish you all the best!