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Using common time adverbs correctly.
Already, yet, still and related adverbs describe the timing or progress of events.
They are especially common with perfect tenses and often depend on sentence type.
I have already finished my homework.
Я уже закончил домашнюю работу.
"Already" shows that the action was completed before the present expected time.
I have already finished my work.
Я уже закончил свою работу.
"Already" indicates that the action happened before now or before expected.
Have you finished your homework yet?
Ты уже закончил домашнюю работу?
"Yet" asks whether an expected action has happened by the present.
Have you finished your work yet?
Ты уже закончил свою работу?
"Yet" asks whether an expected event has happened up to the present.
She is still at work.
Она все еще на работе.
"Still" shows that a situation continues without change.
She is still working.
Она все еще работает.
"Still" indicates that a situation continues.
They have just arrived.
Они только что приехали.
"Just" shows that the action happened a very short time ago.
He has just arrived.
Он только что приехал.
"Just" indicates that the event happened very recently.
He does not live here anymore.
Он больше здесь не живет.
"Anymore" shows that a previous situation has stopped continuing.
We have not eaten yet.
Мы еще не ели.
"Yet" indicates that the expected event has not happened.
The train has not arrived yet.
Поезд еще не приехал.
"Yet" shows that the expected event has not happened up to the present.
They still live here.
Они все еще живут здесь.
"Still" indicates that the situation continues unchanged.
We still need more time.
Нам все еще нужно больше времени.
"Still" shows that the need for more time continues.
She has already seen the movie.
Она уже видела этот фильм.
"Already" indicates completion before the expected time.
She has already seen that movie.
Она уже видела этот фильм.
"Already" indicates that the experience has happened before now.
I have just received your message.
Я только что получил твое сообщение.
"Just" refers to an event that happened a very short time ago.
Already indicates that something happened earlier than expected or before a particular time.
It is commonly used in affirmative sentences and often occurs with the present perfect.
I have already eaten.
Я уже поел.
"Already" indicates that the action was completed before now.
I have already eaten.
Я уже поел.
"Already" indicates that the action has happened before now.
She has already left the office.
Она уже ушла из офиса.
"Already" shows that the departure has happened sooner than might have been expected.
She has already finished the report.
Она уже закончила отчет.
"Already" indicates completion before the expected time.
Have you already finished the report?
Ты уже закончил отчет?
In a question, "already" can express surprise that an action has happened so soon.
They have already left.
Они уже ушли.
"Already" shows that the departure has occurred.
They have already booked the tickets.
Они уже забронировали билеты.
"Already" indicates completion before the current point in time.
Have you already seen this film?
Ты уже видел этот фильм?
"Already" can appear in a question when the speaker is surprised that something may have happened.
The children are already asleep.
Дети уже спят.
"Already" indicates that the state has been reached earlier than expected.
It is already midnight.
Уже полночь.
"Already" indicates that a particular point in time has been reached.
He already knows the answer.
Он уже знает ответ.
"Already" shows that he has acquired the knowledge before the relevant time.
He has already paid the bill.
Он уже оплатил счет.
"Already" emphasizes that payment has been completed.
We have already discussed this problem.
Мы уже обсуждали эту проблему.
"Already" emphasizes that the discussion has taken place before now.
The children are already asleep.
Дети уже спят.
"Already" indicates that the expected state has been reached.
Is it already five o'clock?
Уже пять часов?
"Already" can express surprise that a particular time has arrived so soon.
She has already read the book.
Она уже прочитала книгу.
"Already" indicates completion before the present moment.
Yet indicates that something has not happened up to the present or is expected to happen.
It is most commonly used in negatives and questions.
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
"Yet" asks whether the expected action has happened by now.
I have not finished yet.
Я еще не закончил.
"Yet" indicates that the expected action has not happened up to now.
I have not finished yet.
Я еще не закончил.
"Yet" indicates that the expected action has not happened up to now.
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
"Yet" is common in questions about whether an expected event has happened.
Has the bus arrived yet?
Автобус уже приехал?
"Yet" asks whether the expected arrival has occurred.
She has not called yet.
Она еще не позвонила.
"Yet" appears at the end of a negative sentence to indicate non-completion.
The bus has not arrived yet.
Автобус еще не приехал.
"Yet" shows that the arrival is still expected but has not happened.
Has the train arrived yet?
Поезд уже приехал?
"Yet" asks whether the expected arrival has occurred.
Are you ready yet?
Ты уже готов?
"Yet" asks whether the expected state has been reached.
We have not received the results yet.
Мы еще не получили результаты.
"Yet" indicates that the expected receipt has not occurred.
She is not ready yet.
Она еще не готова.
"Yet" shows that the expected state has not been reached.
Is dinner ready yet?
Ужин уже готов?
"Yet" asks whether a state expected by now has been reached.
Have they called you yet?
Они уже тебе позвонили?
"Yet" refers to an expected event that may or may not have happened by now.
He has not replied yet.
Он еще не ответил.
"Yet" emphasizes that the expected reply has not occurred.
They have not called me yet.
Они мне еще не позвонили.
"Yet" indicates that the expected call has not happened so far.
Have they arrived yet?
Они уже приехали?
"Yet" is used to ask whether an expected event has happened.
Still expresses that a situation continues without change.
It usually appears before the main verb but after the verb be.
I still live in Kyiv.
Я все еще живу в Киеве.
"Still" shows that the situation continues.
She is still working.
Она все еще работает.
"Still" indicates that the situation continues.
She still works at the same company.
Она все еще работает в той же компании.
"Still" indicates that the previous situation remains unchanged.
I still live in London.
Я все еще живу в Лондоне.
"Still" indicates that the situation has not changed.
They are still waiting outside.
Они все еще ждут снаружи.
"Still" comes after the verb "are" and shows that the waiting continues.
He still does not understand.
Он все еще не понимает.
"Still" emphasizes the continuation of a negative situation.
He is still asleep.
Он все еще спит.
"Still" follows the verb "is" because "asleep" is a complement of "be".
Are you still waiting?
Ты все еще ждешь?
"Still" asks whether an ongoing situation continues.
We still need more information.
Нам все еще нужна дополнительная информация.
"Still" appears before the main verb "need" in this sentence.
They still have not arrived.
Они все еще не приехали.
"Still" emphasizes that an expected event remains incomplete.
She still has not replied.
Она все еще не ответила.
"Still" emphasizes that the expected reply has not happened even now.
She still wants to leave.
Она все еще хочет уйти.
"Still" indicates that her desire continues.
Are you still working?
Ты все еще работаешь?
"Still" asks whether an activity that started earlier continues now.
The shop is still open.
Магазин все еще открыт.
"Still" indicates that the shop remains open.
The shop is still open.
Магазин все еще открыт.
"Still" shows that the state of being open continues.
I still remember that day.
Я все еще помню тот день.
"Still" indicates that the state of remembering continues.
Just indicates that something happened a very short time ago.
It is frequently used with the present perfect in British English and with the past simple or present perfect in American English.
I have just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
"Just" indicates that the arrival happened a very short time ago.
I have just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
"Just" indicates that the event happened very recently.
She has just finished her lunch.
Она только что закончила обед.
"Just" refers to an action completed very recently.
She has just called me.
Она только что мне позвонила.
"Just" refers to an event that happened a very short time ago.
They have just left the building.
Они только что вышли из здания.
"Just" shows that the departure happened moments ago.
We have just finished dinner.
Мы только что закончили ужин.
"Just" indicates very recent completion.
I just saw Anna.
Я только что видел Анну.
In American English, "just" commonly occurs with the past simple for very recent events.
He has just left the office.
Он только что ушел из офиса.
"Just" places the event very close to the present moment.
We just arrived.
Мы только что приехали.
The past simple with "just" is especially common in American English for very recent events.
She just arrived.
Она только что приехала.
"Just" is commonly used with the past simple in American English for a very recent event.
Have you just called me?
Ты только что мне звонил?
"Just" can be used in a question about an event that happened very recently.
I have just received your email.
Я только что получил твое письмо.
"Just" indicates that the email was received very recently.
The train has just arrived.
Поезд только что приехал.
"Just" indicates that the arrival is extremely recent.
They have just started the meeting.
Они только что начали встречу.
"Just" emphasizes the short time between the start and the present.
I have just spoken to the manager.
Я только что поговорил с менеджером.
The present perfect with "just" is especially common in British English.
The train has just left.
Поезд только что ушел.
"Just" indicates that the departure happened moments ago.
Anymore and any longer express that something no longer continues.
They are most common in negative sentences and vary across regional varieties of English.
I do not live there anymore.
Я больше там не живу.
"Anymore" means that the previous situation has stopped continuing.
I do not live there anymore.
Я больше там не живу.
"Anymore" indicates that the situation no longer continues.
She does not work here anymore.
Она больше здесь не работает.
"Anymore" shows that a former situation is no longer true.
She does not work here anymore.
Она больше здесь не работает.
"Anymore" refers to a situation that has stopped.
He does not smoke anymore.
Он больше не курит.
"Anymore" indicates that he has stopped a previous habit.
We do not see each other anymore.
Мы больше не видимся.
"Anymore" indicates that a repeated situation has ended.
We do not use that system anymore.
Мы больше не используем эту систему.
"Anymore" refers to something that used to happen but no longer does.
He does not use that computer any longer.
Он больше не пользуется тем компьютером.
"Any longer" indicates that the situation has stopped continuing.
I do not want to wait any longer.
Я больше не хочу ждать.
"Any longer" emphasizes that an action or situation should not continue for additional time.
I cannot wait any longer.
Я больше не могу ждать.
"Any longer" indicates that the waiting cannot continue.
She cannot stay here any longer.
Она больше не может здесь оставаться.
"Any longer" means for no additional period of time.
She does not need help anymore.
Ей больше не нужна помощь.
"Anymore" indicates that the need has ended.
He does not visit us any longer.
Он больше нас не навещает.
"Any longer" indicates that a previous repeated situation has stopped.
They do not sell that product anymore.
Они больше не продают этот товар.
"Anymore" indicates that the selling has stopped.
They are not friends anymore.
Они больше не друзья.
"Anymore" shows that the previous relationship no longer exists.
We cannot stay here any longer.
Мы больше не можем здесь оставаться.
"Any longer" emphasizes that continued staying is no longer possible.
The position of these time adverbs depends on the sentence structure and auxiliary verbs.
Correct placement contributes to natural and accurate English.
She has already finished the report.
Она уже закончила отчет.
"Already" normally appears after the auxiliary "has" and before the main verb.
She has already finished.
Она уже закончила.
"Already" follows the auxiliary "has" in mid position.
Have you finished the report yet?
Ты уже закончил отчет?
"Yet" normally appears at the end of a question.
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
"Yet" normally appears at the end of a question.
She has not finished the report yet.
Она еще не закончила отчет.
"Yet" normally appears at the end of a negative sentence.
She is still working.
Она все еще работает.
"Still" follows the verb "is" when "be" is the auxiliary.
They are still waiting.
Они все еще ждут.
"Still" follows the auxiliary or form of "be" and comes before the main verb.
He still works here.
Он все еще здесь работает.
"Still" normally precedes the main verb "works".
We still need to talk.
Нам все еще нужно поговорить.
"Still" comes before the main verb "need".
They have just arrived.
Они только что приехали.
"Just" follows the auxiliary "have" in the present perfect.
He has just arrived.
Он только что приехал.
"Just" normally follows the auxiliary "has" and precedes the main verb.
We have not finished yet.
Мы еще не закончили.
"Yet" normally appears at the end of a negative sentence.
I have already seen that film.
Я уже видел этот фильм.
"Already" comes between the auxiliary "have" and the main verb "seen".
I have already seen it.
Я уже это видел.
"Already" occurs after the auxiliary "have".
Have they arrived yet?
Они уже приехали?
"Yet" is normally placed at the end of a present perfect question.
She still has not replied.
Она все еще не ответила.
"Still" comes before the auxiliary phrase to emphasize continuing non-completion.
Already, yet, still and just occur with several verb tenses but have preferred patterns.
Their interpretation depends on aspect, completion and the speaker's perspective.
I have already finished the book.
Я уже закончил книгу.
"Already" commonly occurs with the present perfect to indicate completed action before now.
I have already finished the report.
Я уже закончил отчет.
"Already" commonly occurs with the present perfect to indicate completed action.
She has not finished the book yet.
Она еще не закончила книгу.
"Yet" combines naturally with the present perfect in a negative sentence.
She has not arrived yet.
Она еще не приехала.
"Yet" commonly occurs with the present perfect in negative sentences.
He is still working on the project.
Он все еще работает над проектом.
"Still" emphasizes that an ongoing situation continues at the present time.
He is still working.
Он все еще работает.
"Still" with the present continuous emphasizes that an action continues.
They have just left.
Они только что ушли.
"Just" with the present perfect emphasizes a very recent completed action.
They have just left.
Они только что ушли.
"Just" commonly occurs with the present perfect to indicate a very recent event.
I just saw him outside.
Я только что видел его снаружи.
The past simple with "just" is common in American English for a very recent event.
She already knew the answer.
Она уже знала ответ.
"Already" can also occur with the past simple or past forms when referring to an earlier point in the past.
We already knew the answer when he arrived.
Мы уже знали ответ, когда он приехал.
"Already" can occur with the past simple when one past event was completed before another past event.
He had already left when I arrived.
Он уже ушел, когда я приехал.
"Already" with the past perfect indicates completion before another past event.
She was still waiting when the office closed.
Она все еще ждала, когда офис закрылся.
"Still" emphasizes that the situation continued at a particular point in the past.
She was still sleeping when I called.
Она все еще спала, когда я позвонил.
"Still" with the past continuous emphasizes an ongoing situation at a past time.
Have you read the report yet?
Ты уже прочитал отчет?
"Yet" is commonly used with the present perfect to ask whether an action has occurred by now.
We had not finished yet when the meeting ended.
Мы еще не закончили, когда встреча закончилась.
"Yet" emphasizes that completion had not occurred by a particular past time.
These adverbs express different stages of an event rather than simple time reference.
Choosing the correct adverb changes the speaker's meaning and expectations.
She has already left.
Она уже ушла.
"Already" focuses on the fact that the event has been completed earlier than expected.
She has already left.
Она уже ушла.
"Already" indicates that the event has happened before now.
She has not left yet.
Она еще не ушла.
"Yet" focuses on the fact that the expected event has not happened up to now.
She has not left yet.
Она еще не ушла.
"Yet" indicates that the expected event has not happened up to now.
She is still here.
Она все еще здесь.
"Still" emphasizes that the current situation continues.
She is still here.
Она все еще здесь.
"Still" indicates that a situation continues.
She has just arrived.
Она только что приехала.
"Just" focuses on the very recent timing of the event.
She has just left.
Она только что ушла.
"Just" emphasizes the very short time since the event occurred.
He does not work here anymore.
Он больше здесь не работает.
"Anymore" focuses on the end of a previous continuing situation.
He does not work here anymore.
Он больше здесь не работает.
"Anymore" indicates that a previous situation has stopped.
We do not need the old system any longer.
Нам больше не нужна старая система.
"Any longer" emphasizes that the situation should not continue into additional time.
He still works here.
Он все еще здесь работает.
"Still" indicates that the previous situation continues.
Have you finished yet, or are you still working?
Ты уже закончил или все еще работаешь?
"Yet" asks about expected completion, while "still" emphasizes that the current activity continues.
Have they arrived yet?
Они уже приехали?
"Yet" expresses an expectation that the event may have happened by now.
I have already seen the message, but I have not replied yet.
Я уже видел сообщение, но еще не ответил.
"Already" marks a completed event, while "yet" marks an expected event that has not happened.
They have already arrived.
Они уже приехали.
"Already" confirms that the expected event has occurred.
Usage differs between British and American English and across formal and informal contexts.
For example, just is more closely associated with the present perfect in British English.
I have just finished work.
Я только что закончил работу.
The present perfect with "just" is especially common in British English.
I have just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
In British English, "just" commonly occurs with the present perfect for very recent events.
I just finished work.
Я только что закончил работу.
The past simple with "just" is very common in American English for a recent event.
I just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
In American English, "just" commonly occurs with the past simple for very recent events.
Have you eaten yet?
Ты уже поел?
"Yet" is standard in both British and American English in questions about expected events.
Have you eaten yet?
Ты уже поел?
"Yet" is standard in both British and American English for questions about expected events.
She has already left.
Она уже ушла.
"Already" is standard across major varieties of English and is especially common with the present perfect.
I have not finished yet.
Я еще не закончил.
"Yet" is standard in negative sentences in both major varieties.
I do not live there anymore.
Я больше там не живу.
"Anymore" is especially common in American English but is also widely used elsewhere.
I do not live there anymore.
Я больше там не живу.
"Anymore" is especially common in American English in this negative construction.
I do not live there any longer.
Я больше там не живу.
"Any longer" is common in both varieties and can sound somewhat more formal than "anymore".
I do not live there any longer.
Я больше там не живу.
"Any longer" is a common alternative to "anymore" and is frequent in both varieties.
I have not seen her lately.
Я не видел ее в последнее время.
"Lately" is common in neutral and informal English when referring to recent time.
She has already left.
Она уже ушла.
"Already" is widely used with the present perfect in both British and American English.
The report has already been completed.
Отчет уже был завершен.
"Already" works naturally in formal writing, including the passive voice.
The results have just been published.
Результаты только что были опубликованы.
"Just" with the present perfect is particularly characteristic of British usage.
Choose the correct time adverb according to meaning, tense and sentence type.
Common mistakes include using already in negatives instead of yet, placing still incorrectly, confusing just with only, and using the wrong tense after these adverbs.
I have not finished yet.
Я еще не закончил.
Use "yet" in this negative sentence rather than "already" when the expected action has not happened.
I have not finished yet.
Я еще не закончил.
Use "yet" in a negative sentence when an expected action has not happened.
She has already finished.
Она уже закончила.
Use "already" to show that the action has been completed before now.
She has already finished.
Она уже закончила.
Use "already" to indicate completed action, especially when it happened earlier than expected.
He is still working.
Он все еще работает.
"Still" follows the verb "is" and comes before the main verb "working".
She is still waiting.
Она все еще ждет.
"Still" normally comes before the main verb but after the verb "be".
They still live in the same house.
Они все еще живут в том же доме.
"Still" comes before the main verb "live".
I have just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
"Just" indicates a very recent event; it does not simply mean "only" in this use.
I have just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
"Just" means a very short time ago; it does not mean "only" in this sentence.
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
"Yet" normally occurs at the end of a question about an expected event.
I only bought one ticket.
Я купил только один билет.
"Only" means no more than one in this sentence; it does not express recent time.
They do not live here anymore.
Они больше здесь не живут.
"Anymore" expresses that a previous situation no longer continues.
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
"Yet" commonly occurs at the end of a question about an expected event.
He still works here.
Он все еще здесь работает.
"Still" indicates continuation and normally precedes the main verb.
She has just left.
Она только что ушла.
"Just" normally occurs after the auxiliary "has" and before the main verb.
She has already seen the film.
Она уже видела этот фильм.
Use "already" rather than "yet" in an affirmative statement describing completed action.