Still, already, yet, no longer, any longer, any more

Verb tenses

1. Still, already, yet, no longer, any longer, any more

These particles are used to express whether an action has taken, is taking, or will take place or not.

STILL

ALREADY

YET

NO LONGER

ANY LONGER / MORE

2. Still, already and yet

  • STILL 

    We use it to express that something continues the same way as it happened before, or that something that should have happened, hasn't.

    It is used in affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences. It is placed before the main verb, but after the verb to be.

    IMG UNIT 19-01
    I'm still looking for a job.
    IMG UNIT 19-02
    Does he still work for that law firm?

    In negative sentences, still is placed before the auxiliary in negative. When we have the verb to be, we put still between this verb and the particle not.

    IMG UNIT 19-03
    I still haven't recovered from the flu.
    IMG UNIT 19-04
    It's still not working!
  • ALREADY 

    It is used to express that something has happened before the present moment or before a particular time.

    It is used in affirmative sentences. It is placed before the main verb, but after the verb to be. It can be placed at the end of a sentence to give emphasis.

    IMG UNIT 19-05
    I already know who the murderer is.
    In this example, he knew who the murderer was before saying the sentence.
    IMG UNIT 19-06
    I'm already at the station.
    In this example, she is at the station because she got there some time before.
  • YET 

    In negative sentences, yet is used to express that something hasn't happend but you expect it to happen in the future. In questions, yet is used to ask if something you expected to happen has happened. It is placed at the end of a sentence.

    IMG UNIT 19-07
    Are we there yet?
    In this example what the girl expects to happen is to arrive somewhere, so she is asking if that has happened or not.
    IMG UNIT 19-08
    I don't want to go to sleep yet.
    In this example the action of wanting to go to sleep hasn't happened, but it soon will.

We can use yet in negative interrogative sentences when we are surprised that the action hasn't happened, because we strongly feel that it had happened. Therefore, we expect a no as an answer.

Haven't you seen this film yet?

3. Comments on still, already and yet

  • In negative sentences we can use both yet and still. Still is used when the speaker is surprised that the action hasn't happened, whereas yet has a neutral tone. In addition, yet goes at the end of a sentence and still doesn't.
    IMG UNIT 19-09
    I still haven't talked to him.
    In this example the speaker uses still because he feels that he should have talked to him already and he hasn't.
    IMG UNIT 19-10
    I haven't talked to her yet.
    In this example the speaker uses yet because he is just giving a piece of information, he doesn't think he should have already spoken to the girl.
  • We can use already in interrogative sentences just like yet. When we use already, though, the speaker is surprised that the action took place.
    IMG UNIT 19-11
    Is it 09:00 yet?
    In this example, either you think it will be 9:00 soon, or you just want to find out what time it is; but it implies that it's probably not 9:00 at the moment.
    IMG UNIT 19-12
    Is it 07:00 already?
    In this example, it is seven o'clock at the moment and the speaker did not expect that at all.

4. No longer/any longer/any more

  • NO LONGER 

    It is used to express that an action used to happen in the past but not now. No longer is used in positive or interrogative sentences and it's placed before the main verb but after the verb to be.

    IMG UNIT 19-13
    This webpage is no longer available.
    IMG UNIT 19-14
    Are you no longer studying here next year?
  • ANY LONGER / ANY MORE

    They mean the same as no longer but in negative sentences or negative questions and are placed at the end of a sentence.

    IMG UNIT 19-15
    I can’t eat salt any more.
    IMG UNIT 19-16
    I can’t stand it any more/any longer!
    In British English they write any more, that is, two separate words, while in American English, they write it in one word: anymore.

Remember!

Still, already, yet, no longer, any longer y any more are used to express whether an action has taken, is taking, or will take place or not.
Form Uses Examples
STILL Affirmative, negative and interrogative sentences She is still working.
Position in the middle of the sentence He is still not ready.
In interrogative and negative sentences to express surprise Are you still having breakfast?
ALREADY Affirmative sentences I think I already know you.
Interrogative sentences to express surprise Are you here already?
Position in the middle or at the end of the sentence The shop is already closed.
YET Negative and interrogative sentences I haven't got the results yet.
Position at the end of the sentence Has he found his mobile yet?
Negative interrogative sentences Haven't you washed the dishes yet?
NO LONGER Affirmative and interrogative sentences Why is this model no longer for sale?
Position in the middle of the sentence We no longer live in the city.
ANY LONGER / MORE Negative sentences or negative questions He doesn’t love her any longer/more.
Position at the end of the sentence Won't you wear those jeans any longer/more?