Learn English Grammar – Still vs. Yet

What is the difference between still and yet?

For today’s English lesson, lets look at the difference between using still and yet

We use still when we want to show that some situation started in the past and continues to now. Like most adverbs, still comes before the main verb of a sentence and after the be verb. You can use still in positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions like this:

• The weather was a bit cool yesterday and it is still cool today.
• Jack was born in Brooklyn and he still lives there.
• I still don’t know where my keys are. I had them last night when I got home.
• I remember you played the guitar in college. Do you still play?

On the other hand, we use yet when we want to refer to something that did not happen before now, but we think or know it will happen in the future. In general, yet comes at the end of a sentence or question. Unlike still, we use yet in negative sentences and questions like this:

• It’s getting cooler outside, but it is not fall yet.
• A lot of my friends tell me I have not grown up yet.
• I went to Russia once, but I haven’t been back there yet.

It’s also possible to put yet between an auxiliary verb and the main verb of a sentence or after the be verb

• I can’t yet figure out how to use Snapchat.
• Jack said that he hasn’t yet learned how to control his golf swing.
• I’m not yet ready to tell the boss that I want to quit.

Keep in mind the best way to remember this or any vocabulary in English is to take the word or phrase write it in a sentence that’s true for you or true in your world and then memorize your sentences.

You can even take your sentences and write them in the comments below. I would love to see your examples. And if you really want help with vocabulary, sign up for my free vocabulary workshop (see below).

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