⏳ Grammar · Past & Perfect Tenses
Just, Already, Yet & Still
Four small words that constantly trip learners up — where to put them, which tense they belong with, and what each one really signals.
Grammar › Past & Perfect Tenses › Just, Already, Yet & Still
The rule in one sentenceJust, already and yet travel with the present perfect to talk about very recent, earlier-than-expected, or still-awaited events — still works differently, marking a situation that continues, usually with the present simple or continuous.
Four small words, four different jobs
These words are tiny, but each one answers a different question about timing, and English learners often reach for the wrong one — or put the right one in the wrong place.
Just means “a very short time ago.” It sits between the auxiliary and the main verb: Netflix has just released the trailer for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It tells your listener the news is fresh.
Already means “earlier than expected,” often expressing mild surprise. It can sit in the same mid-sentence position, or move to the end for extra emphasis: I‘ve already seen Elvis twice. or I’ve seen Elvis twice already.
Yet means “up to now” and appears almost exclusively in negatives and questions, always at the end of the sentence: We haven’t watched Just Go with It yet. or Have you seen Just Go with It yet? It signals that the action is still expected to happen.
Still is different from the other three: it says a situation is continuing longer than expected, and it usually pairs with the present simple or present continuous rather than the present perfect: Robert Eggers is still working on his next project. or I still haven’t watched the Enola Holmes movie. (Notice: with a negative, still comes before the auxiliary, and the sentence can also use “yet” at the end for the same idea.)
🎬 Compare: “Have you seen Set It Up yet?” (a neutral question — I don’t know if you have) vs. “Have you already seen Set It Up?” (a surprised question — I expected you hadn’t, or I expected it to take longer).
Same grammar, different attitude: yet is neutral, already carries a note of surprise.
How to build it
Just
Position: always between the auxiliary and the main verb, never at the end.
Pixar has just announced a sequel to Inside Out.
Already
Position: mid-sentence for a neutral tone, or at the very end for extra emphasis on the surprise.
Failure to Launch has already become a favourite rom-com for many fans.
Yet
Position: always at the end of the sentence, only in negatives and questions.
Have Universal and Illumination agreed on the next Minions deal yet?
Still
Position: before the main verb in positive sentences, before the negative auxiliary in negatives.
Fans are still hoping for a new Studio Ghibli release this year.
When to use which
Just & already — recent completion
- Just: announces something that happened moments ago. The Academy has just announced the Best Picture nominees.
- Already: flags that something happened sooner than expected. Disney has already confirmed a release date for the sequel.
- Both usually appear in positive statements about a finished action.
Yet & still — unfinished business
- Yet: checks whether an expected action has happened. Has the studio finished the next Jumanji script yet?
- Still: shows a situation dragging on longer than expected. Warner Bros. is still deciding on a director for the next Lego Movie film.
- Both point at something that hasn’t reached its expected end.
Quick test: which word do I need?
- Is it a negative or a question about something you expect to happen eventually? Use yet, at the end. I haven’t watched the new Sonic the Hedgehog film yet.
- Is a situation continuing for longer than you expected? Use still, before the verb. She’s still editing the Wednesday trailer.
- Did it happen moments ago, and is that the whole point? Use just, mid-sentence. They’ve just released the poster for Zootopia 2.
- Did it happen sooner than you expected, and you want to show surprise? Use already. I’ve already finished the whole The Boys series!
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
Common mistakes
❌ I have watched already Train to Busan.
✅ I have already watched Train to Busan. / I’ve watched Train to Busan already.
“Already” goes between the auxiliary and the main verb, or right at the end — never straight after the main verb.
❌ I haven’t seen Migration already.
✅ I haven’t seen Migration yet.
“Already” isn’t used in negatives — that job belongs to “yet”.
❌ She is already finished the new Kingsman film.
✅ She has already finished the new Kingsman film.
“Already” needs the present perfect (have/has + past participle), not the present continuous.
❌ I haven’t still watched the trailer for Elemental.
✅ I still haven’t watched the trailer for Elemental.
“Still” comes before the negative auxiliary (still haven’t), not after it.
Exceptions & tricky cases
1. American English allows “already” with the past simple. British English usually keeps already with the present perfect, but American speakers often say I already saw Sing 2 instead of I’ve already seen Sing 2. Exams generally expect the British pattern.
2. “Still” can also ask about an ongoing state. Used in a question, it checks whether something continuing is, well, still continuing.
✅ Are you still watching the new season of Squid Game?
3. “Yet” can occasionally appear in positive, formal sentences. In this rarer use it means “eventually” or “in the future,” not “up to now.”
✅ Marvel may yet bring the character back in a future film.
4. Don’t confuse “just” the time word with “just” meaning “only”. It’s just a trailer for The Wild Robot, not the full film uses “just” to mean “simply” — a completely different job from the time meaning in I’ve just watched the trailer for The Wild Robot.
Practice: choose the right word
Eight quick questions. Pick the answer you’d actually say — you get the explanation either way.
1. Quick, look — the Academy has ___ announced the Oscar nominations!
Fresh news, this second — “just” between the auxiliary and the verb.
2. I haven’t seen Song of the Sea ___.
“Already” doesn’t appear in negatives — “yet” is the correct choice, at the end.
3. Believe it or not, I’ve ___ watched all three Karate Kid films this week.
Faster than expected, said with a hint of surprise — “already”.
4. Barry Jenkins ___ hasn’t confirmed his next project.
A situation continuing longer than expected — “still” before the negative auxiliary.
5. Have you finished watching the whole Breaking Bad series ___?
A neutral question about something expected eventually — “yet” at the end.
6. Henry Cavill ___ hasn’t decided whether he’ll return as Superman again.
“Still” sits before the auxiliary; “yet” would need to move to the end of the sentence instead.
7. The studio ___ released a teaser for Kubo and the Two Strings.
A very recent event — “just”, mid-sentence, in a positive statement.
8. Don’t tell me the ending — I ___ know how Always Be My Maybe ends, everyone’s told me!
“Already” fits a state you know earlier/sooner than expected — it sits before the main verb here, since “know” is a state verb used with the present simple.
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