STILL | ALREADY | JUST | YET - English grammar

Summary

In this engaging lesson, English educator Arnel delves into the nuances of four commonly confused words related to the concept of time: 'still,' 'already,' 'just,' and 'yet.' He emphasizes the importance of understanding their definitions, usage in positive and negative statements, question formation, and placement within a sentence. Additionally, he touches upon the subtle differences between American and British English. Arnel uses the example of preparing for a dinner with his boss to illustrate how these words can be effectively incorporated into a single context, providing a practical application for learners. The lesson is not only informative but also serves as a reminder of the flexibility and expressiveness of the English language.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Still** is used to emphasize that an action is ongoing and can be surprising. It can be used in the present, past, and future tenses.
• 📍 **Still** can be positioned before the main verb, after the auxiliary verb (like a sandwich), or after 'be' forms in a sentence.
• 🚫 In negatives, **still** is placed before the auxiliary verbs, as in 'I still don't know how to use chopsticks.'
• 🕒 **Already** indicates that something happened sooner than expected or before something else. It can be used in present, past, and future tenses.
• 🔄 The position of **already** is similar to **still**, but it can also be placed at the end of a sentence for a more informal and emphatic tone.
• ❄️ **Just** is used for something that happened very recently, right before now or another event.
• 📉 The position for **just** is before the main verb, between the auxiliary and the main verb, or after 'be'.
• 🤔 **Yet** is used in negatives and questions to express that an action hasn't happened and is expected or awaited.
• ➡️ **Yet** is typically placed at the end of a clause or sentence to give emphasis to the expectation of an action.
• 🇺🇸🇬🇧 There is a preference in American English to use the past simple with **already**, **just**, and **yet**, while British English tends to use the present perfect.
• 🍽 An example situation illustrates the use of all four words: 'They're not here yet, but they'll be here in about 30 minutes. I already made the potatoes and the salad. The fish is still in the oven, and I just remembered I didn't buy any drinks.'
• 📈 Learning the positions of **still** will make understanding the positions of **already**, **just**, and **yet** easier due to their similar adverbial properties.

Q & A

What are the four aspects to consider when understanding the use of common English words?

The four aspects to consider are: 1. the definition, 2. when to use these words in positive statements, negatives, and questions, 3. the position in a sentence, and 4. the difference between American English and British English.

How is the word 'still' used in English to describe an action?

The word 'still' is used to emphasize that an action is ongoing and continuing. It is often used when the continuation of an action is surprising.

Can you provide an example of how 'still' is used in a sentence?

An example is 'My brother still lives with my parents.' This emphasizes that despite his age (38 in the example), he continues to live with his parents.

In what positions can the adverb 'still' be placed in a sentence?

The adverb 'still' can be placed in the middle position, which can be before the main verb, after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb (like a sandwich), or after 'be' forms.

What is the difference in the placement of 'still' in negative sentences?

In negative sentences, 'still' is placed before the auxiliary verbs, as in 'I still don't know how to use chopsticks.'

How is the word 'already' used in English?

The word 'already' is used to express surprise that something happened before it was expected or earlier than expected. It can be used in the present, past, and future tenses.

What is a casual and emphatic way to use 'already' in a sentence?

Using 'already' at the end of a sentence or clause is more informal and casual, as in 'No thank you, I had one already.'

What is the typical position for 'already' in a sentence?

The typical positions for 'already' are before the main verb, between the auxiliary and the main verb, and after 'be'.

What is the difference between American and British English usage of 'already'?

Generally, Americans tend to use the past simple with 'already', while speakers of British English tend to use the present perfect. This is a preference rather than a strict grammatical rule.

How is the word 'just' used to describe the timing of an event?

The word 'just' is used to describe something that happened immediately before the current moment or right before something else. It conveys a sense of very recent past.

What are the three typical positions for the adverb 'just' in a sentence?

The three typical positions for 'just' are before the main verb, between the auxiliary and the main verb, and after 'be'.

How is the word 'yet' used in English, and where is it typically placed in a sentence?

The word 'yet' is used in negatives and questions to express that an expected action has not yet occurred. It is typically placed at the end of a clause or sentence.

What is another structure in which 'yet' can be used in a positive sentence?

In a positive sentence, 'yet' can be used in the structure 'have yet to/has yet to' followed by an infinitive to express that something is expected or awaited.

Can you provide an example of how all four words 'still', 'already', 'just', and 'yet' are used in a single situation?

An example is: 'My boss and his wife are coming over for dinner. They're not here yet, but they'll be here in about 30 minutes. I already made the potatoes and the salad. The fish is still in the oven, the fish is still baking. And I just remembered, I didn't buy any drinks.'