Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 111 · B1

still any more yet already

Use still for something that continues, not ... any more and no longer for something that has stopped, yet for something expected that has not happened, and already for something that happened sooner than expected.

Start the lesson

17Steps · about 32 minutes

In this lesson

still: the situation has not changedA1 screen of questions
not ... any more, not ... any longer, no longerB3 screens of questions
yet: expected, not happened so farC2 screens of questions
already: sooner than expectedD1 screen of questions
Put it together+4 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

still: the situation has not changed

still tells you something is carrying on: no change, no end yet.

Still can also mean in spite of this. The second example in the list below is a case in point.

Its normal place is mid-sentence, next to the verb (Unit 110).

  • It's twelve o'clock and Liam is still in his pyjamas.
  • When we left the pub, the band was still playing.
  • Are you still thinking of moving, or have you decided to stay?
  • She earns a very good salary, but she still never has any money.

Point A · Extra practice

Put in still.

  1. It's twelve o'clock and Liam is in bed.

  2. When we left, the band was playing.

  3. Are you thinking of moving?

Point B of 4

not ... any more, not ... any longer, no longer

not ... any more and not ... any longer report that a situation has changed. Both go at the end of the sentence. You can write any more (two words) or anymore (one word).

You can also use no longer, which goes in the middle of the sentence. It is slightly more formal, as befits a sign on a shop door.

no more is not used like this: The shop is no longer open on Sundays, not is no more open.

  • Dev doesn't live here any more. He moved to Leeds in June.
  • Dev doesn't live here any longer.
  • We used to go every week, but we don't any more.
  • Dev no longer lives here.
  • The shop is no longer open on Sundays. (not is no more open)
  • Hannah still sings in the choir, but Beth doesn't sing in it any more.

Point B · Exercise 111.1 · part 1 of 3

Five years ago Jodie said some things about her life. Now she says them again. Some things are the same and some have changed. Write sentences about Jodie with still or any more (items 1 to 8), then write three more sentences with no longer (items 10 to 12).

  1. Example

    Five years ago: "I live in Hull." Now: "I live in Hull."

    (Hull)

    She still lives in Hull.

    AnswerShe still lives in Hull.

  2. Example

    Five years ago: "I work in a bank." Now: "I work in a garden centre."

    (bank)

    She doesn't work in a bank any more.

    AnswerShe doesn't work in a bank any more.

  3. Example

    (no longer: bank)

    She no longer works in a bank.

    AnswerShe no longer works in a bank.

  4. Five years ago: "I play the violin." Now: "I gave up the violin."

    (violin)

  5. Five years ago: "I want to live abroad." Now: "I want to live abroad."

    (abroad)

  6. Five years ago: "I'm interested in football." Now: "I'm not interested in football."

    (football)

  7. Five years ago: "I share a flat with two friends." Now: "I share a flat with two friends."

    (flat)

Point B · Exercise 111.1 · part 2 of 3

Five years ago Jodie said some things about her life. Now she says them again. Some things are the same and some have changed. Write sentences about Jodie with still or any more (items 1 to 8), then write three more sentences with no longer (items 10 to 12).

  1. Five years ago: "I go swimming every week." Now: "I haven't been swimming for years."

    (swimming)

  2. Five years ago, Jodie had long hair down to her waist. Now it is very short.

    (hair)

  3. (no longer: choose any change from items 3, 5, 7 or 8)

  4. (no longer: a second change)

Point B · Exercise 111.1 · part 3 of 3

Five years ago Jodie said some things about her life. Now she says them again. Some things are the same and some have changed. Write sentences about Jodie with still or any more (items 1 to 8), then write three more sentences with no longer (items 10 to 12).

  1. (no longer: a third change)

Point C of 4

yet: expected, not happened so far

Use yet mainly in negative sentences and questions. Yet means until now, and it shows that the speaker expects the thing to happen. It usually goes at the end of the sentence, and it is very often used with the present perfect (see Unit 7C).

Compare yet and still: the same situation can be described with either.

still not ... yet
Carl failed his test in May and he is still learning. Carl failed his test in May and he hasn't passed yet.
Is the baby still asleep? Has the baby woken up yet?

Still is also possible in a negative sentence, placed before the negative: he still hasn't paid. It means much the same as he hasn't paid yet, but it carries more surprise or impatience. The speaker feels it should have happened by now.

  • It's eight o'clock and the pizza isn't here yet.
  • Have you booked your train yet?
  • "What are you doing for your birthday?" "I haven't decided yet."
  • He promised me the money a month ago and he still hasn't paid me.
  • I emailed the landlord yesterday. He hasn't answered yet. (I expect he will answer soon)
  • I emailed the landlord three weeks ago and he still hasn't answered. (he should have answered by now)

Point C · Exercise 111.2 · part 1 of 2

Each sentence uses still. Write a sentence with a similar meaning using not ... yet, beginning with the word in brackets. Choose from these verbs.

Use these

arrivedecidefindfinishleavestopwake up

  1. Example

    It's still snowing. (It)

    It hasn't stopped snowing yet.

    AnswerIt hasn't stopped snowing yet.

  2. Nathan is still here. (He)

  3. They're still painting the hall. (They)

  4. The baby is still asleep. (She)

  5. Owen is still looking for a flat. (He)

Point C · Exercise 111.2 · part 2 of 2

Each sentence uses still. Write a sentence with a similar meaning using not ... yet, beginning with the word in brackets. Choose from these verbs.

Use these

arrivedecidefindfinishleavestopwake up

  1. I'm still wondering which course to take. (I)

  2. The delivery van is still on its way. (It)

Point D of 4

already: sooner than expected

already reports something that happened earlier than you'd expect.

Already usually goes in the middle of the sentence (see Unit 110), or at the end: He's already gone or He's gone already.

  • "Is Joe coming to the meeting?" "He's already here."
  • Shall I explain what happened, or have you already heard?
  • I've only just got up and I'm already tired.
  • Their train has already gone. or Their train has gone already.

Point D · Extra practice

Put in already.

  1. "Is Joe coming?" "He's here."

  2. I've only just got up and I'm tired.

  3. Run! The bus has arrived.

Put it together · Exercise 111.3 · part 1 of 4

Put in still, yet, already or any more.

  1. Example

    Kieran broke his leg in March and he is still on crutches.

    AnswerKieran broke his leg in March and he is still on crutches.

  2. Example

    Do you want me to explain the rules, or do you already know them?

    AnswerDo you want me to explain the rules, or do you already know them?

  3. Are you going out with Ryan, or have you split up?

  4. I'm starving. Is tea ready ?

  5. I had a headache this morning, but it doesn't hurt .

  6. Can we stay a bit longer? I don't want to go home .

Put it together · Exercise 111.3 · part 2 of 4

Put in still, yet, already or any more.

  1. Josh used to play rugby, but he doesn't play .

  2. I grew up in Swansea. I go back there most summers.

  3. You don't need to introduce us. We've met.

  4. My nan is ninety-two, but she's very sharp.

Put it together · Exercise 111.3 · part 3 of 4

Put in still, yet, already or any more.

  1. Shall I get you a coffee, or have you had one?

  2. "Where's Lee?" "He isn't here . He's on his way."

  3. Kat said she'd ring at six. It's half past seven and she hasn't rung.

  4. Do you want to join the choir, or are you a member?

Put it together · Exercise 111.3 · part 4 of 4

Put in still, yet, already or any more.

  1. It was years ago, but I think about it now and then.

  2. I've grown out of these shoes. They don't fit me .

Lesson 111 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: evenBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. still: the situation has not changed–Not checkedB. not ... any more, not ... any longer, no longer–Not checkedC. yet: expected, not happened so far–Not checkedD. already: sooner than expected–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked