3) STILL, ALWAYS, YET and ALREADY Reply

(under construction) This is a page devoted to understanding how we use the adverbs ‘already’, ‘still’, ‘always’ and ‘yet’ in English. First read the basic rules and then watch the  video lesson to help you assimilate the different points. Then sing a ‘karaoke’ song to better assimilate the use of ‘wish’ (to express regrets in the past) and then do some online exercises to make sure you’ve understand the important points. Good luck!

ALREADY

Already is used to express an action that has  been accomplished earlier than expected:

  • Hey…have you seen this report yet? Yes I’ve already read it. I think it’s really interesting.

STILL

Still is used to refer to continuing states or actions:

  • I still enjoy working here.
  • I’m still working on my report.
  • This house still belongs to the same family.

ALWAYS

Always is used to refer to repeated actions that happen regularly:

  • We always have meetings on Tuesday mornings.
  • I always read my e-mails first thing in the morning.
  • Deborah has always gone home for Christmas.
  • You are always arriving late! Can’t you wake up on time!

YET

Yet is used to ask if something expected has happened (notice how it contrasts with ‘already’ and ‘still’):

  • Have you written to the customer yet?
  • He hasn’t arrived yet. He’s always late.
  • Have you spoken about the budget yet? Yes we already have.
  • The plane hasn’t left yet. It’s still on the runway.
  • The order hasn’t arrived yet. We’re still waiting for it.

Watch this lesson on the British usage of these adverbs:

Try some exercises to check your comprehension:

Learn English Today: Still, Already, Always and Yet

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