Still and Yet
2022-11-05
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "still" and "yet."
2Dear teacher,
3I am delighted to write you this email.
4I am hoping that I will get some good explanations about using similar words such as "still" and "yet."
5Looking forward to reading the answer!
6Thank you,
7Arios from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
8Dear Arios,
9Thank you for writing to us. We still have not covered this subject.
10"Still" and "yet" have very different meanings and uses, yet in some situations, they can be used in the same way.
11Let us begin by looking at "still."
12Although "still" can be an adjective, noun or verb, we often use it as an adverb.
13As an adverb, "still" describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present. We often use it before the base verb.
14For example,
15She still talks with her college friends years later.
16I have been eating all day, but I'm still hungry!
17Using "still" in negative statements means that the action should change, but it has not.
18I still haven't finished cleaning. There is just too much to do.
19Let's move on to "yet."
20"Yet" can be either an adverb or a conjunction, which links two clauses together.
21As an adverb "yet" refers to an action that has not happened but is expected.
22Someone might be waiting for it to happen.
23We often use it with negative statements.
24As a conjunction "yet" means "but at the same time."
25Let us look at a few examples:
26You want to get the project done, yet you also want to be fair with everyone involved.
27They aimed to honor the establishment of the policy, yet it had many shortcomings that left members unsure.
28Both of these sentences contain two clauses involving action that is taking place at the same time.
29Other uses as a conjunction can show difference:
30The sun is out, yet it is very cold.
31"Yet" is used to create a contrast and combine the clauses into one sentence.
32"Yet" can also be used as an adverb:
33I have yet to receive my package.
34In this case, the person is waiting for their package to arrive.
35Have you made dinner yet, Faith?
36No, I haven't. I've been too busy working.
37"Yet" is often used at the end of the statement or question.
38Both "yet' and "still" can be used in the same way when talking about situations in the past using negative statements that continue into the present.
39He still has not returned my phone call.
40He has not returned my phone call yet.
41Note that "still" goes before the verb and "yet" is at the end of the sentence.
42Some native speakers notice a slightly different tone when saying these words aloud.
43If "still" is used, this could be a sign of being upset or impatient with the situation, especially if "still" is emphasized while speaking.
44As in:
45He still has not returned my phone call.
46Please let us know if these explanations have helped you, Arios!
47What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
48And that's Ask a Teacher.
49I'm Faith Pirlo.
50And I'm Jill Robbins.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "still" and "yet." 2Question: 3Dear teacher, 4I am delighted to write you this email. I am hoping that I will get some good explanations about using similar words such as "still" and "yet." 5Looking forward to reading the answer! 6Thank you, 7Arios from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 8Answer 9Dear Arios, 10Thank you for writing to us. We still have not covered this subject. 11"Still" and "yet" have very different meanings and uses, yet in some situations, they can be used in the same way. 12Let us begin by looking at "still." 13Still 14Although "still" can be an adjective, noun or verb, we often use it as an adverb. As an adverb, "still" describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present. We often use it before the base verb. 15For example, 16She still talks with her college friends years later. 17I have been eating all day, but I'm still hungry! 18Using "still" in negative statements means that the action should change, but it has not. 19I still haven't finished cleaning. There is just too much to do. 20Let's move on to "yet." 21Yet 22"Yet" can be either an adverb or a conjunction, which links two clauses together. 23As an adverb "yet" refers to an action that has not happened but is expected. Someone might be waiting for it to happen. We often use it with negative statements. 24As a conjunction "yet" means "but at the same time." 25Let us look at a few examples: 26You want to get the project done, yet you also want to be fair with everyone involved. 27They aimed to honor the establishment of the policy, yet it had many shortcomings that left members unsure. 28Both of these sentences contain two clauses involving action that is taking place at the same time. 29Other uses as a conjunction can show difference: 30The sun is out, yet it is very cold. 31"Yet" is used to create a contrast and combine the clauses into one sentence. 32"Yet" can also be used as an adverb: 33I have yet to receive my package. 34In this case, the person is waiting for their package to arrive. 35Have you made dinner yet, Faith? 36No, I haven't. I've been too busy working. 37"Yet" is often used at the end of the statement or question. 38Yet and still 39Both "yet' and "still" can be used in the same way when talking about situations in the past using negative statements that continue into the present. 40He still has not returned my phone call. 41He has not returned my phone call yet. 42Note that "still" goes before the verb and "yet" is at the end of the sentence. 43Some native speakers notice a slightly different tone when saying these words aloud. If "still" is used, this could be a sign of being upset or impatient with the situation, especially if "still" is emphasized while speaking. As in: 44He still has not returned my phone call. 45Please let us know if these explanations have helped you, Arios! 46What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 47And that's Ask a Teacher. 48I'm Faith Pirlo. 49And I'm Jill Robbins. 50Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 51________________________________________________________________________ 52Words in This Story 53negative - n. a word or statement that means "no" or that expresses a denial or refusal 54clause - n. grammar: a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb 55contrast -n. a difference between things or the act of comparing two things to show their differences 56tone - n. a quality, feeling, or attitude expressed by the words that someone uses in speaking or writing 57impatient - adj. not willing to wait for something or someone; not patient 58emphasize -v. to place special attention to something or add urgency to something said 59________________________________________________________________________ 60Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 61Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.