Already means “by now” and is used in positive statements; yet means “up to now” and is used in questions and negatives: I've already paid. Have you paid yet? I haven't paid yet. Already usually goes before the main verb, yet at the end of the sentence. Both are most often used with the present perfect, and in American English also with the past simple: Did you eat yet?
already or yet — can you pick the right one?
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have/has + already + past participle; haven't/hasn't + past participle + yet; Have you + past participle + yet?; already at the end = sooner than expected
- I've already booked the train tickets, so we just need to find a hotel.
- Has the manager replied to your email about the holiday yet?
- We haven't decided where to go this summer yet, but we're thinking about Portugal.
What changed
First versionI haven't finished the essay already, so I can't send it to you today.
RevisionI haven't finished the essay yet, so I can't send it to you today.
Already says that the action has happened, so it contradicts a sentence that means the essay isn't finished. For “not up to now”, English uses not … yet. Only this word has changed, and it stays in the same place in the sentence.
Still also describes something that hasn't happened, but it sounds impatient, as if the wait has gone on too long, and it comes before haven't: I still haven't heard from the bank. I haven't heard from the bank yet sounds calmer. And already in a question shows surprise that something has happened so soon: Are you leaving already?
Your turn
You don't need to call the restaurant. I've ___ booked a table for eight o'clock.
Show the answer
already — The sentence is positive: the table has been booked, so there's no need to call. This meaning needs already, between I've and booked. Yet isn't used in positive sentences with this meaning.
Write to a colleague about how preparations for a meeting or a trip are going. Name one task that's done already and one that isn't done yet.
I've already booked the meeting room, but I haven't sent the agenda to the team yet.
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