Just, Still, Yet and Already
Just, already, still and yet are all adverbs. They give extra information about when an action happens, and they are most common with the present perfect.
This guide is for A2 to B1 learners. The meaning is usually clear; the tricky part is the position each one takes in the sentence. The table below sets that out, then three exercises let you practise.
A quick video summary
Just, still, yet and already at a glance
Each adverb has its own meaning and its own place in the sentence:
| Adverb | Meaning | Position | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| just | an action happened very recently | between the auxiliary and the main verb | I have just got back from the shops. |
| still | an expected action has not happened | between the subject and the auxiliary | I still haven’t finished. |
| yet | at any time up to now (questions and negatives) | at the end of the sentence | Have you finished yet? |
| already | before now, sooner than expected | between the auxiliary and the main verb, or at the end | I have already seen it. |
These four adverbs are small but easy to misplace. Book a free trial lesson and practise just, still, yet and already with an experienced native teacher, no credit card needed.
Common mistakes with just, still, yet and already
- Putting yet in the middle. Yet goes at the end: “Have you eaten yet?”, not “Have you yet eaten?”
- Confusing still and yet. Use still for something continuing or not happening (“He still lives here”); use yet in questions and negatives about now (“He isn’t here yet“).
- Misplacing just and already. They go between the auxiliary and the main verb: “I have just eaten”, not “I just have eaten”.
- Using yet in a plain positive sentence. A positive statement takes already: “I have already done it”, not “I have done it yet”.
Practice exercises
Try these three exercises. They open in a new tab so you can keep this guide handy.
Exercise 1. Match each rule with the correct adverb.
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences by choosing yet, already, just or still.
Exercise 3. Decide whether the adverb is in the correct position: correct or incorrect.
Quick self-check
Complete or fix each sentence, then reveal the answers.
1. Have you called her ___ ? (yet / already)
2. I have ___ finished my homework. (just / yet)
3. It ___ hasn’t stopped raining. (still / yet)
Show answers
1. yet. 2. just. 3. still.
How did that go? Getting the position right in an exercise is a start; using it without thinking as you speak is the goal. In a free trial lesson, an experienced native teacher will help you get there.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between yet and already?
Where does just go in a sentence?
What is the difference between still and yet?
Which tense do these adverbs go with?
Where does yet go?
Key takeaways
- Just = very recently; goes between auxiliary and main verb.
- Still = an expected action has not happened; goes between subject and auxiliary.
- Yet = up to now (questions and negatives); goes at the end.
- Already = before now / sooner than expected; goes between auxiliary and main verb, or at the end.
- All four are most common with the present perfect.
Keep learning
- Present perfect vs past simple
- Adverbs of frequency
- More free English grammar guides
- Test your English level
- Meet our English teachers
Written and reviewed by the experienced native English teachers at Live English, online since 2007.