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Unit 111 · Adjectives and adverbs

still any more yet already

Study

A

We use still to say that a situation or action is continuing. It hasn’t changed or stopped:

›

It’s ten o’clock and Joe is still in bed.

›

When I went to bed, Chris was still working.

›

Do you still want to go away or have you changed your mind?

Still also means ‘in spite of this’. For example:

›

He has everything he needs, but he’s still unhappy.

Still usually goes in the middle of the sentence with the verb. See Unit 110.

B

We use not … any more or not … any longer to say that a situation has changed.

Any more and any longer go at the end of a sentence:

›

Lucy doesn’t work here any more. She left last month. or Lucy doesn’t work here any longer.

›

We used to be good friends, but we aren’t any more. or … we aren’t any longer.

You can write any more (2 words) or anymore (1 word).

You can also use no longer. No longer goes in the middle of the sentence:

›

Lucy no longer works here.

We do not normally use no more in this way:

›

We are no longer friends. (not we are no more friends)

Compare still and not … any more:

›

Sally still works here, but Lucy doesn’t work here any more.

C

We use yet mainly in negative sentences (He isn’t here yet) and questions (Is he here yet?).

Yet (= until now) shows that the speaker expects something to happen.

Yet usually goes at the end of a sentence:

›

It’s 10 o’clock and Joe isn’t here yet.

›

Have you decided what to do yet?

›

‘Where are you going on holiday?’ ‘We don’t know yet.’

We often use yet with the present perfect (‘Have you decided … yet?’). See Unit 7C.

Compare yet and still:

›

Mike lost his job six months ago and is still unemployed.

›

Mike lost his job six months ago and hasn’t found another job yet.

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Is it still raining?

›

Has it stopped raining yet?

Still is also possible in negative sentences (before the negative):

›

She said she would be here an hour ago and she still hasn’t come.

This is similar to ‘she hasn’t come yet’. But still … not shows a stronger feeling of surprise or impatience. Compare:

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I sent him an invitation last week. He hasn’t replied yet. (but I expect he will reply soon)

›

I sent him an invitation weeks ago and he still hasn’t replied. (he should have replied before now)

D

We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected.

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‘What time is Sue leaving?’ ‘She has already left.’ (= sooner than you expected)

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Shall I tell Joe what happened or does he already know?

›

I’ve just had lunch and I’m already hungry.

Already usually goes in the middle of a sentence (see Unit 110) or at the end:

›

She’s already left. or She’s left already.

Exercises (3)

0/3 exercises checked
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111.1

Compare what Paul said a few years ago with what he says now. Some things are the same as before and some things have changed. Write sentences with still and any more.

  1. 1
    (travel)
    He still travels a lot.example
  2. 2
    (shop)
    He doesn’t work in a shop any more.example
  3. 3
    (poems)
    He .
  4. 4
    (teacher)
    He wants to be a teacher.
  5. 5
    (politics)
    He interested in politics any more.
  6. 6
    (single)
    He’s single.
  7. 7
    (fishing)
    He go fishing any more.
  8. 8
    (beard)
    He a beard any more.
  9. 9
    Now write three sentences about Paul using no longer.
    He no longer works in a shop.example
  10. 10
    .
  11. 11
    .
  12. 12
    .
111.2

For each sentence (with still) write a sentence with a similar meaning using not … yet. Choose from these verbs:

decidefindfinishgostoptake offwake up
  1. 1
    It’s still raining.
    It hasn’t stopped raining yet.example
  2. 2
    Gary is still here.
    He .
  3. 3
    They’re still repairing the road.
    They .
  4. 4
    The children are still asleep.
    They .
  5. 5
    Kate is still looking for a job.
    She .
  6. 6
    I’m still wondering what to do.
    I .
  7. 7
    The plane is still waiting on the runway.
    It .
111.3

Put in still, yet, already or any more.

  1. 1
    Mike lost his job a year ago and he is unemployed.example
  2. 2
    Shall I tell Joe what happened or does he know?example
  3. 3
    Do you live in the same place or have you moved?
  4. 4
    I’m hungry. Is dinner ready ?
  5. 5
    I was hungry earlier, but I don’t feel hungry .
  6. 6
    Can we wait a few minutes? I don’t want to go out .
  7. 7
    Amy used to work at the airport, but she doesn’t work there .
  8. 8
    I used to live in Amsterdam. I have a lot of friends there.
  9. 9
    There’s no need to introduce me to Joe. We’ve met.
  10. 10
    John is 80 years old, but he’s very fit and healthy.
  11. 11
    Would you like something to eat, or have you eaten?
  12. 12
    ‘Where’s Helen?’ ‘She’s not here . She’ll be here soon.’
  13. 13
    Mark said he’d be here at 8.30. It’s 9 o’clock now and he isn’t here.
  14. 14
    Do you want to join the club or are you a member?
  15. 15
    It happened a long time ago, but I remember it very clearly.
  16. 16
    I’ve put on weight. These trousers don’t fit me .