Difference between Still and Yet: A Simple Grammar Guide

Have you ever confused with the words, still and yet? This confusion is because still and yet are used to refer to time. The difference between still and yet is that they are used in different situations and have different grammar rules. Understanding these difference will improve your speaking and writing skills. While still focuses on a situation that continues, yet usually refers to something that has not happened up to the present moment but is expected to happen.

In this guide, you will learn the difference between still and yet, their usage, their role in present perfect tense, common mistakes to avoid and examples.

Table of Contents

• What are Still and Yet?
• Difference between Still and Yet
• Quick Comparison Table
• How to Use Still and Yet in a Sentence
• Examples of Still and Yet
• How to Remember the Difference
• Common Mistakes with Still and Yet
• Frequently Asked Questions about Difference between Still and Yet

What are Still and Yet?

The words still and yet are used to talk about time. Still shows that an action or situation started before and has not stopped. It tells us that something is ongoing. Nothing has changed.

Examples:

•  My grandmother still knits every evening.

• The shop is still open, even though it is late.

• He still lives in the same flat he grew up in.

In each case, the action began earlier and simply continues. Still usually comes before the main verb but after the verb be.

Yet points to something that has not happened up to this moment, but is expected to happen soon. It is mostly used in negative sentences and in questions.

For example:

• We have not booked the tickets yet.

• Has the postman come yet?

• She hasn't replied to my message yet.

Yet is usually placed at the end of a clause. It carries a small sense of expectation. The speaker believes the action will happen, just not right now.

 

Difference between Still and Yet

The main difference between still and yet is their meaning. Still emphasises that an action or situation continues. For example, The bus is still waiting outside. This means the bus was waiting before and continues to wait now. In contrast, yet emphasises something that has not happened up to the present moment. For example, The bus has not arrived yet. This means the arrival is expected, but it has not happened so far.

Quick Comparison Table

Difference between Still and Yet as Conjunctions

Both words can also introduce a contrast similar to however or but. In this use, yet functions as a conjunction, while still is generally treated as a sentence adverb.

• The plan was risky. Still, they decided to go ahead.

• He knew the answer was wrong, yet he said nothing.

Here, still and yet introduce a contrast with the previous idea. They are interchangeable in this role, though yet can sound slightly more formal.

 

How to Use Still and Yet in a Sentence

Use still when you want to show that nothing has changed since an earlier point in time.

• I still don't understand this maths problem.

• Are you still working on that report?

Use yet when you are talking about something expected but not yet completed, or asking if something has happened.

• I haven't finished my homework yet.

• Have you eaten breakfast yet?

A useful trick: if you can add ‘up to now’ and the sentence still makes sense, yet is usually the right choice. If you can add ‘as before’, still is usually correct.

 

Examples of Still and Yet

Here are some examples that show the difference between still and yet in everyday situations.

Examples of Still

1. My phone battery is still at fifty percent.

2. Is the library still open on Sundays?

3. Grandad still tells the same story every Christmas.

4. The paint is still wet, so don't touch the wall.

5. The playground is still crowded after sunset.

Examples of Yet

1. We haven't decided on a holiday destination yet.

2. He hasn't paid the electricity bill yet.

3. The guests have not arrived yet.

4. Have you spoken to the teacher yet?

5. I have yet to see a more beautiful sunset than that one.

 

How to Remember the Difference

Here's an easy way to keep it straight:

• Still = keeps going, hasn't changed

• Yet = expected, but hasn't happened

So if something's still happening, reach for still. If it hasn't happened but probably will, reach for yet.

Examples:

• I still need more time to finish the project.

• I have not submitted the project yet.

 

Common Mistakes with Still and Yet

Mistake 1: Yet is placed before the verb, but it should come at the end of the clause.
Incorrect: She yet hasn't come home.
Correct: She hasn't come home yet.

Mistake 2: Still is used in a question about completion, but yet is the correct word for asking whether something has happened.
Incorrect: Have you still finished the exam?
Correct: Have you finished the exam yet?

Mistake 3: Still and yet are both used together in the same clause, which is repetitive since they overlap in meaning here.
Incorrect: He still hasn't yet called me.
Correct: He still hasn't called me.

Mistake 4: Yet is used to mean "however" at the start of a sentence, where still sounds far more natural in everyday English.
Incorrect: Yet, I don't know the answer.
Correct: Still, I don't know the answer.

Mistake 5: Yet is placed in the middle of the clause instead of at the end.
Incorrect: I haven't yet the report finished.
Correct: I haven't finished the report yet.