Yet, as a linking word, means “but”, “however” or “and still”. It introduces a fact that you would hardly expect after what was just said: The exam seemed easy, yet half the class failed. Yet can join two parts of a sentence, start a new sentence or stand between two adjectives: simple yet effective. In an essay, it is a good alternative to but, which quickly starts to sound repetitive.
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clause, yet + clause; clause, and yet + clause; Sentence. Yet + clause; adjective + yet + adjective (simple yet effective)
- The flat is small and quite old, yet it feels warm and full of light.
- Online courses are cheaper and more flexible. Yet many students still prefer classes on campus.
- She's the youngest person on the team, and yet everyone asks her for advice.
What changed
First versionAlthough the salary was good, yet I decided to leave the company.
RevisionThe salary was good, yet I decided to leave the company.
It can feel natural to mark the contrast in both halves of the sentence: although at the start and yet in the second part. In English one linker is enough; with two, the contrast is stated twice. Although was removed, and yet is now the only linking word.
Don't confuse this linker with yet meaning “so far” or “already”. That yet comes at the end of a question or a negative sentence and is about time: Have you finished yet? I haven't decided yet. Yet meaning “but” opens the second part and contrasts it with the first: It was late, yet nobody wanted to leave.
Your turn
Our new app has a simple ___ powerful design, so even my grandmother can use it.
Show the answer
yet — Between two adjectives, simple and powerful, you need a short linker inside the phrase: a simple yet powerful design. However doesn't fit inside a phrase like this: it introduces a whole idea and is separated by commas or a semicolon.
Think of a trip or a purchase that turned out differently from what you expected. In one sentence with yet, say what you expected and what actually happened.
I expected a quiet seaside hotel, yet our room was right above a noisy nightclub.
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