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Understand the timeline meanings of already, still, and yet, then practise them in complete examples about finished, ongoing, and expected actions.
Vanessa clarifies the difference among already, still, and yet by placing them on a simple timeline. She starts with the past, moves to the present, and then looks ahead to the future. The timeline is a practical guide: already commonly marks something completed by now, still describes something that continues at the moment, and yet often appears in a negative sentence when an action has not happened but is expected later.\n\nFor already, Vanessa gives examples such as “I already ate dinner,” “I already studied English today,” and “I already watched TV for three hours.” In each case, the activity is finished. The listener can understand why the speaker is now tired, taking a break, or ready to do something else. Already appears naturally before the main verb in these examples.\n\nStill focuses on continuation. If someone expected Vanessa to arrive at 11:00, she might say, “I'm still getting ready.” The preparing has begun but is not finished. Vanessa notes a useful pattern: still often combines with an -ing verb in the present continuous, as in “I'm still working” and “I'm still speaking English.”\n\nYet points toward a future completion. “I haven't gotten in the car yet” means the speaker has not done it so far but probably will later. Vanessa also uses “I haven't watched it yet” and explains that the action is expected before the next lesson. Other examples include not having eaten dinner or gone to the store yet. She emphasizes that this use of yet occurs in negative clauses and implies an expectation that the action will happen.\n\nThe lesson ends with a practice task: write three sentences, one using each word. Learners can test the timeline idea by asking whether an activity is finished, continuing, or still expected. The meaning depends on both the time reference and the sentence structure, so complete examples are more helpful than memorizing a one-word translation.
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Vanessa introduces three adverbs of time through questions about completion and ongoing actions.
Hi, I'm Vanessa from Speak English with Vanessa.com. Did you ? Are you still doing it, or have you ? Students ask which word is correct: already, still, or yet. Today I'll help you start to understand how to use them.
Try it: What three words does Vanessa compare?
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Vanessa introduces three adverbs of time through questions about completion and ongoing actions. · expression
A question about whether an action has been completed before now.
Tone and use: Neutral. Use already to ask if something is complete earlier than expected or before the present moment.
May not fit: The exact tense depends on the sentence; do not treat already as a fixed past-tense marker.
Example“Did you already do it?”
Vanessa introduces three adverbs of time through questions about completion and ongoing actions. · expression
An action has not happened up to now, with an expectation it may happen later.
Tone and use: Neutral. Use yet most often at the end of a negative clause or question.
May not fit: In affirmative statements, yet can have other meanings or appear in different positions.
Example“I have not sent the email yet.”
She introduces a timeline to distinguish past, present, and future. · expression
A line or sequence that shows events in relation to past, present, and future.
Tone and use: Instructional. Use a timeline to visualize when actions happen.
May not fit: It is a learning aid; real conversations may not follow a neat sequence.
Example“Let's put the project steps on a timeline.”
She explains already with completed activities such as eating, studying, and watching TV. · expression
I finished eating dinner before the current moment.
Tone and use: Conversational. Use already before the main verb to emphasize completion by now.
May not fit: Already can sound impatient in some questions depending on stress and context.
Example“I already ate dinner, so I'll just have tea.”
She explains already with completed activities such as eating, studying, and watching TV. · expression
I completed some English study earlier today.
Tone and use: Neutral conversational English. Use already to highlight that an action is done earlier than the listener may expect.
May not fit: Do not use already if the activity is still continuing; use still + -ing instead.
Example“I already studied English today, so I'm taking a break.”
She explains still for activities that continue in the present, often with an -ing verb. · expression
I'm continuing the process of preparing at the moment.
Tone and use: Conversational. Use still with a continuing action, often still + -ing.
May not fit: Still can also mean nevertheless; context clarifies the sense.
Example“I'm still getting ready, so I'll be there in ten minutes.”
She explains still for activities that continue in the present, often with an -ing verb. · expression
The work is continuing now and has not finished.
Tone and use: Neutral. Use still + present continuous to emphasize an ongoing action.
May not fit: Do not use still to mean recently completed; that is the lesson's use of already or just.
Example“I'm still working, but I can call you later.”
She introduces yet for an action not completed yet but expected later. · expression
I have not entered the car so far, but the action is expected later.
Tone and use: Conversational. Use have not + past participle + yet for something expected but not completed.
May not fit: In British English, got is more common than gotten as the past participle of get.
Example“I haven't gotten in the car yet; I'll leave in a minute.”
She introduces yet for an action not completed yet but expected later. · expression
The action is expected or likely to happen later.
Tone and use: Explanatory. Use probably to express likelihood without making a guarantee.
May not fit: Probably indicates expectation, not certainty.
Example“I haven't called yet, but I probably will do it this afternoon.”
More examples show yet in negative present-perfect sentences and the expectation of future completion. · expression
I have not watched it up to now but expect to do so later.
Tone and use: Conversational. Use yet at the end of a negative present-perfect clause.
May not fit: The phrase implies an expected action; if there is no expectation, explain the situation.
Example“I haven't watched the lesson yet, but I'll do it tonight.”
More examples show yet in negative present-perfect sentences and the expectation of future completion. · expression
At an earlier time than the next scheduled class or meeting.
Tone and use: Neutral. Use before + noun phrase to set a deadline or sequence.
May not fit: Use by our next lesson if you mean no later than that time.
Example“I'll finish the practice before our next lesson.”
Vanessa gives viewers a three-sentence practice challenge using all three words. · expression
Create three complete examples for practice.
Tone and use: Instructional. Use write + number + plural noun for a specific practice task.
May not fit: Make each sentence natural and meaningful rather than repeating a pattern mechanically.
Example“Write three sentences using the new words.”
Vanessa gives viewers a three-sentence practice challenge using all three words. · expression
In the comment area beneath a video or post.
Tone and use: Common online instruction. Use it to direct viewers where to leave a response.
May not fit: This refers to an online interface, not a physical place.
Example“Share your example in the comments below.”
She closes with the e-book reminder and thanks learners. · expression
A direct reminder to download a file or resource.
Tone and use: Promotional reminder. Use be sure to + base verb for a reminder.
May not fit: It is a suggestion, not a guarantee that the file will arrive.
Example“Be sure to download the worksheet before class.”
She closes with the e-book reminder and thanks learners. · expression
A warm expression of gratitude to viewers who studied along.
Tone and use: Friendly and appreciative. Use thanks so much for + noun or -ing activity to thank someone.
May not fit: In formal writing, name the specific contribution instead.
Example“Thanks so much for learning with me today.”
Knowledge check
What it means · “I already ate dinner”