1️⃣ “Yet” in negative sentences (most common use)
We use yet to mean “until now” when something has not happened, but we think it will happen in the future.
It usually comes at the end of the sentence.
Structure:
👉 Subject + have/has + not + past participle + yet
Examples:
- I haven’t finished my homework yet.
(= I will finish it later.) - She hasn’t called me yet.
(= I expect her to call.) - We haven’t eaten dinner yet.
- They haven’t arrived yet.
Notice this is very common with the present perfect tense.
❗ Meaning difference:
- I didn’t finish my homework. → Just past fact
- I haven’t finished my homework yet. → Still not done, but probably will
2️⃣ “Yet” in questions
In questions, yet asks if something has happened before now.
It also usually comes at the end.
Structure:
👉 Have/Has + subject + past participle + yet?
Examples:
- Have you finished your homework yet?
- Has she called you yet?
- Have they left yet?
- Has the movie started yet?
This often shows the speaker is waiting or expecting something.
3️⃣ “Yet” meaning “but” (conjunction)
Here, yet connects two ideas that contrast. It means “but” or “however”.
It usually comes in the middle of a sentence.
Structure:
👉 Clause, yet clause.
Examples:
- He is rich, yet he is not happy.
- She studied hard, yet she failed the test.
- The car is old, yet it runs well.
- It was raining, yet they played soccer.
This use sounds a little more formal than “but.”
4️⃣ “Yet” meaning “still” or “even now”
Sometimes yet means something is true even at this time, often with surprise.
Examples:
- She is yet a child. (formal/old style)
- He is the best player yet. (= until now)
- This is our hardest test yet.
Here, it shows something continues up to the present.
5️⃣ “Yet” with comparatives (even more)
We use yet to show an additional increase.
Structure:
👉 yet + comparative
Examples:
- It became yet more difficult.
- She felt yet happier.
- The problem is yet worse than before.
This is more common in writing or formal English.
6️⃣ “Yet” in expressions
Some common phrases:
✅ as yet (until now)
- We have no news as yet.
✅ yet again (one more time)
- He was late yet again.
✅ not yet (short answer)
- “Are you ready?”
“Not yet.”
7️⃣ Where NOT to use “yet”
❌ Wrong: I am not finished yet my homework.
✅ Correct: I have not finished my homework yet.
❌ Wrong: I don’t eat yet.
✅ Correct: I haven’t eaten yet.
We usually do not use “yet” with simple present for this meaning.
8️⃣ Quick comparison: STILL vs YET
| STILL | YET |
|---|---|
| Used in positive sentences | Used in negative sentences & questions |
| Means something continues | Means something has not happened until now |
| “I am still waiting.” | “I haven’t left yet.” |
🔑 Summary
“Yet” can mean:
- Until now (not happened) → I haven’t done it yet.
- Until now (question) → Have you done it yet?
- But/however → He tried, yet he failed.
- Up to now (superlative/comparison) → The best movie yet.
- More/even → Yet more problems.
