STILL-YET-ALREADY

 Three rather tricky words, aren't they? Read the following carefully and then listen to this:

(1)  ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT THINGS…

Adverb	The idea is…	Type of sentence	Example
STILL	Continuity: algo ocurría y sigue ocurriendo (o no ocurría y sigue sin ocurrir)	+	She’s still married to that nasty man.
		-	I still haven’t decided what to do.
		¿?	Do you still love me?
ALREADY	“Too late”	+	He’s already had lunch.
		-	------------------------------
		¿?	Have you finished already?
YET	“Before now”. Something is/was expected to happen. Tiene poco significado.	+	--------------  (Advanced)
		-	We haven’t done it yet.
		¿?	Have you finished yet?

I still haven’t decided what to do is similar to I haven’t decided what to do yet.

Have you finished yet? and have you finished already? are both correct, but they don’t mean the same thing.

(2)  ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT THIS… (comparison with Spanish)

YA	+	ALREADY		He’s already knocked.
	-        (ya no)	NOT…ANY MORE		He doesn’t live there any more.
	¿?	YET?	Neutro. No sé si sí o si no. Casi podría omitir YET.	Have you finished yet?
		ALREADY?	Expresa sorpresa de que ya haya ocurrido	Have you already finished?
TODAVÍA (continuidad)	+	STILL		She’s still married to that nasty man.
	- (todavía no)	STILL…NOT	Enfático: sigue durando el hecho de no ocurrir tal cosa	I still haven’t decided.
		NOT…YET	Neutro	I haven’t decided yet.
	¿?	STILL		Do you still love me?

Key to translation 4

1. Are you still doing your homework?
2. The postman hasn’t come yet.
3. You should go to Scotland.    –I’ve already been (there).
4. He’s still asleep. Stop shouting.
5. Is dinner ready yet? I’m starving.
6. The film hasn’t finished yet.
7. When I was four / at the age of four I already knew Father Christmas wasn’t real.
8. He still hasn’t found a job  //  He hasn’t found a job yet.
9. Is your hair dry yet?  (normal)   Is your hair dry already? (surprised)
10. She’s already left.
11. I’m going to take the suitcases upstairs.   –I’ll help you.
12. It’s your son-in law’s birthday next month.  –Shall we buy him a scarf?
13. There aren’t as many people as last year.
14. You can come as often as you like / want.
15. Would you mind driving a little bit more slowly?