ALREADY - STILL - ALWAYS - YET

ALREADY - STILL - ALWAYS - YET

Already, still, always and yet are words that are often used incorrectly by learners of English. 

ALREADY

• Already is used to say that something has happened earlier than expected or
  earlier than it might have happened :
  • Hurry up Susan. Breakfast is ready!
  • I've already had breakfast thanks. I woke up early.

STILL

• Still is used to refer to continuing situations.
  • They've been married for 40 years and they still love each other.
  • I moved to this town five years ago and I'm still living here.
  • Are you still smoking? I thought you had stopped!

ALWAYS

• Always is used to refer to something that happens regularly, very frequently
  or forever.
  • I always send cards at Christmas.
  • Sue always takes the 8 o'clock train to work.
  • Alex is always complaining about his job.
  • I will always love you.

YET

• Yet is used to ask if something expected has happened, and in negative sentences.
  Questions:
  • Has the postman arrived yet?
  • Have you finished the book yet?
  
  
• Negative sentences:
  To say that something hasn't happened so far, or up until the present .
  • The book I ordered hasn't arrived yet.
  • We have yet to find out the cause of the delay.
    (=We still haven't found out the cause.)
    
• Yet can also be used to link two clauses or contrasting ideas
  (in the same way as, for example, 'nevertheless' or 'nonetheless').
  • She was offered an interesting job with good pay. Yet she refused it.
  • He felt alone in the world, yet he was surrounded by friends.
  • He was a strict yet fair teacher.