Already, still, yet and no longer

-

Already, still, yet and no longer
 
We use still to show that something continues up to a time in the past present or future. It goes in front of the main verb:
The children still enjoyed playing games.
They are still living next door.
We will still be on holiday.
… or after the present simple or the past simple of be:
Her grandfather is still alive.
They were still unhappy.
We use already to show that something has happened sooner than it was expected to happen. Like still, it comes before the main verb:
The car is OK. I’ve already fixed it.
It was early but they were already sleeping.
… or after the present simple or past simple of the verb be:
It was early but we were already tired.
We are already late.
We use yet in a negative or interrogative clause, usually with perfective aspect (especially in British English), to show that something has not happened by a particular time. yet comes at the end of the sentence:
It was late, but they hadn’t arrived yet.
Have you fixed the car yet?
She won’t have sent the email yet.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Talking about the present

-
Talking about the present 1. We use the present simple: to talk about something happening regularly in the present: The children come home from school at about four. We often see your brother at work.  to talk about something happening continually in the present: They live next door to us. He works for the Post Office.  to talk about things which are generally true : Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. The Nile is the longest river in Africa. 2. We use the present continuous: to show that something in the present is temporary : We are living in a rented flat at present. My wife usually goes in to the office, but she is working at home today. for something happening regularly in the present before and after a given time : I ’m usually getting ready for work at eight o’clock. When I see George he’s always reading his newspaper. for something happening before and after the moment of speaking : I can’t hear you. I ’m lis...
Read more

Delexical verbs like have, take, make and give

-
Delexical verbs like have, take, make and give   Patterns with common verbs and nouns? We often use common verbs like have and take with nouns like a shower , a drink : I took a shower = I showered. She had a drink = She drank something. We call these delexical verbs because the important part of the meaning is taken out of the verb and put into the noun . We often put adjectives in front of the noun: I took a cold shower. She had a nice, refreshing drink. The verbs used most frequently in this way are: have take make give We also use go and do as delexical verbs, but they have different patterns: Shall we go swimming this afternoon? Or shall we go for a walk ? It’s your turn to do the cooking . I’ll have to do my hair before the party. • We use have with: Food and drink: a meal; breakfast, lunch, dinner, a snack, a cup of tea Talking: a chat, a conversation, a discussion, a talk, Washing: a bath, a shower, a wash, a scrub Resting: ...
Read more

Clause structure

-
Clause structure   All clauses in English have at least two parts: a noun phrase and a verb phrase :  Noun phrase (subject) Verb phrase The children All the people in the bus laughed were watching But most clauses have more than two parts: Noun phrase (subject) Verb phrase The children John All of the girls This soup Mary and the family She laughed wanted are learning tastes were driving put a new bicycle English awful to Madrid the flowers   in a vase The first noun phrase is the subject of the sentence: The children laughed. John wanted a new bicycle. All the girls are learning English. She put the flowers in the vase. English clauses always have a subject: His father has just retired. Was a teacher . He was a teacher. I’m waiting for my wife. Is late . She i...
Read more