Grammar：Yet, still and already
【明報專訊】Pat: Have we bought the decorations for MoMo's surprise party yet?
Dr Panda: Not yet, but I've already ordered the cake.
Pat: Great! I'm still trying to decide on the perfect gift for her.
Dr Panda: I hope she doesn't suspect anything. She's already asking questions about her birthday plans.
■English highway﹕
Yet
''Yet'' means that we are expecting something and usually goes at the end of a negative statement or a question.
E.g.Vivian has got a Christmas present, but she hasn't opened it yet.◆
Still and already
''Still'' means going on longer than expected. ''Already'' means sooner than expected. They usually go in mid position in a sentence.
E.g. We're still waiting for a reply from the teacher.
E.g. I've been running for 15 minutes and I'm already exhausted.◆
Note
''Still'' is stronger than ''yet'', it expresses surprise that the situation has gone on for so long.
E.g. Tom hasn't booked the restaurant yet.
E.g. Tom still hasn't booked the restaurant.
■Gear up
1. They are ____ (yet / still / already) ____waiting for the bus.
2. The meeting has not started ____(yet / still / already) .
3. He has ____(yet / still / already) ____finished reading the book.
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
decoration(n) 裝飾
suspect(v) 懷疑
negative(adj) 負面的
exhausted(adj) 極累的
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[Smarties' Power English 第429期]
