Still vs. Yet

Question

"I haven't done it yet.""I still haven't done it."What is the difference in the meaning, please?Thank you in advance.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

MaroldWhat is the difference in the meaning, please?

Not much, but there is a discernible difference in the shade of meaning.

1 I haven't done it yet, but I'm going to do it as soon as I can.
2 I still haven't done it, even though I should have done it days ago.

1 looks with some hope toward an anticipated action later.
2 looks with some regret toward an action left undone in the past.

CJ

Nikoo · Answer

Hi Marold,
These are a number of differences you may want to know:

1. Still not looks towards the past; not yet looks towards the future.
She still hasn't got a job. (She hadn't had a job since Christmas and this situation is continuing.)
She hasn't got a job yet. (She hasn't got a job now, but we're hoping that she will get one.)
2. Still is used to say that something has, perhaps surprisingly, not finished. Yet is used to talk about something that is expected.
3. Still usually goes with the verb, in mid-position. Yet usually goes at the end of a clause.

However, yet is sometimes used in affirmative sentences in a formal style to mean still.
We have yet to hear from him = We are still waiting to hear from him.

I borrowed the examples from Practical English Usage by Michael Swan

Marold · Answer

Your explanations are truly apt, thank you both. Now I finally got a grasp of these adverbs.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' alt='Emotion: wink'/>

Still vs. Yet

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