Using Already, Yet, Still and Anymore

Karen Stanley

	use	examples
already	idea: something has happened or begun in the past, often unexpected type of sentence: positive statements sometimes in questions most common position: midsentence	He's already finished his paper. They're already waiting for you in the living room.
yet	idea: something hasn't happened, but you expect it to happen in the future type of sentence: negative statements questions most common position: end of sentence	The mail usually arrives at noon, but it's 2pm and it hasn't arrived yet. I wonder when it will get here? Has John finished his test yet?
still	idea: something began in the past and is still continuing now type of sentence: positive and negative statements questions most common position: midsentence	The mail still hasn't come. John is still taking his test.
anymore	idea: something that was true in the past, but isn't true now type of sentence: negative statements sometimes in questions most common position: end of sentence	John and Mary lived in Florida for ten years, but they don't live there anymore. They moved to Charlotte last year.

Exercises. Using the given information at the beginning, choose either already, yet, still or anymore (whichever fits) and rewrite the sentence in italics. Do not rewrite the first sentence (the one that is in regular type), only the sentence in italics. Do not change the grammar of the sentence. You only need to give one correct answer for each sentence, but if there are two sentences in italics, you need to give an answer for each sentence.

Example a. I finished my homework at 2:00pm. In other words, I have finished my homework.

Correct answer: In other words, I have already finished my homework.

Example b. I ate the candy bar earlier today. In other words, I don't have the candy bar. I have eaten it.

Correct answer: In other words, I don't have the candy bar anymore. I have already eaten it.

Exercise using ALREADY, STILL, YET, and ANYMORE

-- the basic concept of this exercise is based on an exercise in Fundamentals of English Grammar, 2nd ed

Using the given information at the beginning, choose either already, yet, still or anymore (whichever fits) and rewrite the sentence in italics. Do not rewrite the first sentence (the one that is in regular type), only the sentence in italics. Do not change the grammar of the sentence. You only need to give one correct answer for each sentence, but if there are two sentences in italics, you need to give an answer for each sentence.

1. We were hungry half an hour ago, but we didn't eat anything. In other words, we're hungry.

2. Sylvia used to work at the department store, but she quit her job. In other words, she doesn't work there.

3. John and Al are late. The movie began fifteen minutes ago. In other words, the movie has begun.

4. Greg started keeping a journal three years ago. In other words, he keeps a journal. He hasn't stopped.

5. My sister spoke a little German when she was a child, but she has forgotten it. In other words, she doesn't speak German.

6. My uncle works for a construction company. He wants a different job, but he hasn't found one. In other words, he is looking for a different job. He works for a construction company.

7. When my teenage niece was a child, she played in the sandbox. But that is for small children. In other words, she doesn't play in the sandbox.

8. Mr. and Mrs. Smith expected their visitor to get back around 2pm, but he didn't come. In other words, the visitor hasn't gotten back.

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