How to use the word YET in English?

How to use the word YET in English? There comes a time in English studies when asking this question is inevitable. After all, YET appears quite often in various contexts. So, if you have this doubt, it's time to learn everything ( or almost everything ) about the uses and meanings of YET.

How to use the word YET in English

YET is one of those words you think you know what it means. But as you get involved with the English language, you notice that it is a multipurpose word. That is, it has several functions.

Quite simply, I can say that YET can be an adverb or a conjunction. But that doesn't help much. Well, the secret is to know how to use YET in practice. For that, you have to understand ( learn ) the different contexts in which YET tends to appear. So here we go! You may also be interested to learn about English irregular verbs

YET in negative sentences

In negative sentences, YET means STILL. This is perhaps the best-known use of this little word:

I haven't talked to her yet. ( I haven't talked to her yet. )

She hasn't gotten home yet. ( She hasn't come home yet. )

I don't know yet. ( I still don't know. )

At that time, they didn't have yet the right to vote. ( At that time, they still didn't have the right to vote. )

Not yet! ( Not yet! )

Remember: STILL in negative sentences will always be YET. For affirmative sentences, it is correct to use STILL.



YET in interrogative sentences

How to Use the YET Word in English? When using YET in a question the idea is to know if something has already happened. We are looking to find out if something has already happened or not.

Have they arrived yet? ( Have they arrived yet? )

Did your sister come back yet? (Is your sister back yet? )

Have you had lunch yet? ( Have you had lunch? )

Did you have lunch yet? ( Have you had lunch? )

Do not confuse the use of YET with ALREADY in these cases. We often use ALREADY when we are surprised that something has already happened. That is, it is not about seeking information, but about showing surprise that it has already happened:

Have you had lunch already? Wow! Why is it early? ( Have you had lunch? Damn! Why so early? )

Have you had lunch yet? In case, you haven't, let's grab something to eat. ( Have you had lunch? If not, let's get something to eat. )

» Do you have questions about the uses of Present Perfect? Then purchase the PRESENT PERFECT: Unraveling the Secrets ebook. Click here and learn more!

YET with the meaning of NOW

It may seem strange at first, but YET can sometimes be translated as NOW. This happens in some negative sentences:


You can't give up yet. ( You can't give up now. )

Don't go yet. I like talking to you. ( Don't go now. I like talking to you. )

In these cases, the idea is to say that someone shouldn't or doesn't need to do something right now ( now ); but, you will have to do it later. Of course, you can also translate by STILL, but when translating by NOW it is more natural.

YET emphasizing comparisons

When used in comparative sentences, YET also means “yet”. However, in some cases, we can translate differently. The idea is simply to emphasize the comparison.

The boss called us, telling us of yet more problems. ( The boss called us, talking about even more problems. )

Inflation had risen to a yet higher level. ( Inflation has risen to an even higher plateau. )

Each empty room made the next door yet more threatening. ( Each empty room made the next even more ominous. )

YET as conjunction

We have the use of YET as conjunction. In this case, the translation will be “yet”, “however”, “but”:

It was past midnight, yet she still felt wide awake. ( It was after midnight, and yet she was still wide awake. )

It's unbelievable yet true. ( It's unbelievable, but it's true. )

It's an inexpensive yet effective solution to our problem. ( It's a cheap yet effective solution to our problem. )

And yet this is just what we must do. ( And yet, that's what we really have to do. )

YET in expressions and collocations

Finally, it is worth remembering that YET is part of some expressions and collocations commonly used in English:

yet again » again, again

as (of) yet » so far, so far

months/weeks/days/hours/etc yet » even more months/weeks/days/hours/etc

Are we there yet? » Are we arriving yet? | Have we arrived yet? | How far to go?

Always keep in mind that the best way to learn the use of YET is to see how it is used in the sentences in which it appears. Don't worry about rules, grammatical terms, and the like. Learn word usage grammar. Pay attention to how it is used. Create your own examples based on your observations. This way, you will learn how to use the word YET in English without any problems.

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