Just/ already/yet/still

Just (Note the position)

The Present Perfect is used with just for a recently completed action

He's just gone out. = He went out a few minutes ago.

Has he just gone out?

Just is not used in the negative.

Already (Note the position)

is used to say that something happened sooner than expected

- Don't forget to call Mary.

- I've already called her.

Has she already left? Has she left already? Has she left the house already?

Already is not used in the negative.

Yet (Note the position)

is used to show that the speaker is expecting something to happen

She hasn't phoned yet.

Have you paid the bill yet?

Yet is not used in the positive.

Still (Note the position)

it is used to say that something continues to happen until a particular time

He's still asleep.

Do you still love me?

I still don't understand.

You still haven't given us the keys.

Exercise 10. Write these sentences, putting the words in brackets in the correct place. If two answers are possible, write them both.

Example: I'm sorry, she's gone out - she went out some time ago. (already)

I'm sorry, she's already gone out - she went out some time ago.

I'm sorry, she's gone out already - she went out some time ago.

1. Have you finished? It's time to go. (yet)

2. I've told her several times that I can't come. (already)

3. Though Jack's moved out of the neighbourhood, we see him quite a lot. (still)

4. This letter has arrived for you. (just)

5. I haven't explained. (yet)

6. Have you seen Mary? (already)

Exercise 11. Put in still, yet and already.

1. "Where's Brian? Has he __ left?" - "No, not__. He's __ in his office."

2. "Have you finished your report __ ?" - "No, I'm __ writing it, I'm afraid."

3. You needn't tell Greg. He __ knows.

4. The children are grown up now but they __ like to come home for the holidays.

5. I've read the book "Gone with the Wind" but I haven't seen the film _ .

Not ... Any more/not ... Any longer/no longer

Any more and any longer

are used at the end of negative sentences to say that a past situation has changed

Mrs Taylor doesn't live in London any more (any longer). She's moved to Bristol.

No longer (in formal English)

is used in front of the main verb (but after the verb 'to be') to say that a past situation has changed

He no longer wants to buy it.

She is no longer a student.

NOTE: No more is not used in this way.

Exercise 12. Put the correct word in brackets in the correct place in the sentence.

Example: My father is a young man. (any more/no longer)

My father is no longer a young man.

1. They don't live here. (any longer/no longer)

2. My sister isn't a young child, (any more/no longer)

3. Many rivers are safe to swim in nowadays, (any longer/no longer)

4. Thanks for help. I won't trouble you. (any more/no longer)

5. There is a large shipbuilding industry in Britain. (any more/no longer)

Exercise 13. Fill the blanks with yet or any longer/any more.

1. We aren't ready to start _. Let's wait a little longer.

2. You mustn't leave _. The party is only just beginning.

3. I've waited long enough. I'm not going to wait _.

4. I used to eat a large breakfast but I don't _.

5. Henry sent the telegram two weeks ago but they haven't received it _.