English grammar
Just / already / yet / still
Talk about what has just happened and what is still going on.
From the scene The way back to Madrid
In short
Just means a moment ago, already means sooner than expected, still means it continues. Yet ends questions and negatives.
Your turn
Which one goes with sooner than expected?
Options: Are we in Madrid yet? Not yet. · I'm already hungry · I've just woken up
Show answer
sooner than expected → I'm already hungry
How it works
Just + present perfect = a moment ago: I've just woken up. Already = sooner than expected: I'm already hungry.
Good to know
Yet goes at the end of questions and negatives: not yet, are we in Madrid yet? Still = something continues: I still have them.
Good to know
Don't mix them up: still for what continues, yet for what hasn't happened: we haven't got back yet.
a moment ago I've just woken up
Elena
I've just woken up and I already miss the beach.
Acabo de despertarme y ya echo de menos la playa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) and I already miss the beach.
Options: I've just woken up · I'm already hungry · Are we in Madrid yet Not yet
Show answer
Elena
I've just woken up and I already miss the beach.
Acabo de despertarme y ya echo de menos la playa.
sooner than expected I'm already hungry
Javi
I've just finished my sandwich. And I'm already hungry.
Yo acabo de terminar el bocadillo. Y ya tengo hambre.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I've just finished my sandwich. And (blank).
Options: I've just woken up · Are we in Madrid yet Not yet · I'm already hungry
Show answer
Javi
I've just finished my sandwich. And I'm already hungry.
Yo acabo de terminar el bocadillo. Y ya tengo hambre.
questions / negatives (at the end) Are we in Madrid yet? Not yet.
continuing I still have them
Nuria
Yes, I still have them. A lovely souvenir.
Sí, todavía las tengo. Un recuerdo bonito.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, (blank). A lovely souvenir.
Options: I've just woken up · I'm already hungry · I still have them
Show answer
Nuria
Yes, I still have them. A lovely souvenir.
Sí, todavía las tengo. Un recuerdo bonito.
Common mistake
Not No or Never here. The short negative answer with yet.
Not yet. Two hours to go.
Todavía no. Quedan dos horas.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a moment ago | I've just woken up |
|---|---|
| sooner than expected | I'm already hungry |
| questions / negatives (at the end) | Are we in Madrid yet? Not yet. |
| continuing | I still have them |
More lines from the story
- NuriaNot yet. Two hours to go.Todavía no. Quedan dos horas.
- ElenaNot at all. I'm already thinking about the next trip.Qué va. Ya estoy pensando en el próximo viaje.
- NuriaAnother trip? We haven't got back from this one yet!¿Otro viaje? ¡Todavía no hemos vuelto de este!