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Tenacious Learner Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
Definitions on yet and already. Are they right?
Hi teachers,
I found these two definitions about the differences between using 'yet' and 'already' in a yes/no question a few months ago. I just want to know if they are right or not.
a) When we include yet in a yes/no question we ask for information, so we have no idea about the answer.
b) When we include already in a yes/no question we ask for confirmation, so we wait for a yes in the answer.
For example:
a) It's ten o'clock. Has Peter phoned Mary yet? Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.
b) It's ten o'clock. Has Peter had his breakfast already? Yes, he has.
If those definitions were true then, letter 'b' is just like a tag question, isn't it?
Peter has had his breakfast, hasn't he?
Thans in advance.
I found these two definitions about the differences between using 'yet' and 'already' in a yes/no question a few months ago. I just want to know if they are right or not.
a) When we include yet in a yes/no question we ask for information, so we have no idea about the answer.
b) When we include already in a yes/no question we ask for confirmation, so we wait for a yes in the answer.
For example:
a) It's ten o'clock. Has Peter phoned Mary yet? Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.
b) It's ten o'clock. Has Peter had his breakfast already? Yes, he has.
If those definitions were true then, letter 'b' is just like a tag question, isn't it?
Peter has had his breakfast, hasn't he?
Thans in advance.
Top answer
I think "No, he hasn't" is still a possible answer to 'b'. What is different between a and b, is that with 'b' there's an assumption that he is having breakfast and you expect that he has already had it, but that might not be the case. A closer parallel may be evident when using the exact phrase from your 'a' example: Has Peter phoned Mary yet ?
- I think "No, he hasn't" is still a possible answer to 'b'.
- What is different between a and b, is that with 'b' there's an assumption that he is having breakfast and you expect that he has already had it, but that might not be the case.
- A closer parallel may be evident when using the exact phrase from your 'a' example: Has Peter phoned Mary yet ?
- Yes, he has.
- / No, he hasn't.
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3 Answers
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I think "No, he hasn't" is still a possible answer to 'b'. What is different between a and b, is that with 'b' there's an assumption that he is having breakfast and you expect that he has already had it, but that might not be the case.
A closer parallel may be evident when using the exact phrase from your 'a' example:
Has Peter phoned Mary yet? Yes, he has. / No, he hasn'
A closer parallel may be evident when using the exact phrase from your 'a' example:
Has Peter phoned Mary yet? Yes, he has. / No, he hasn'
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Hi KJinCali79,
Thank you for your reply.
Isn't the following true?
a) The use of 'yet' tells us that there's an expectation that a phone call will be made, possibly around ten.
b) T
Thank you for your reply.
Isn't the following true?
a) The use of 'yet' tells us that there's an expectation that a phone call will be made, possibly around ten.
b) T
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I found this on another site, in case it helps.
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/presperf3b.html
A positive statement with already places emphasis on early completion of an activity or event. It may also express pride.
A negative statement with yet places emphasis on late completion of a
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/presperf3b.html
A positive statement with already places emphasis on early completion of an activity or event. It may also express pride.
A negative statement with yet places emphasis on late completion of a
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