Yet in yes/no questions [Are they correct definitions and reasoning?]

Question

Hi teachers,These are good definitions for yet in negative sentences:(1) To emphasize actions that have not occurred between an indefinite period of time in the past and now. In short: before now.(2) To show surprise that actions have not occurred by now (at some time before now).Examples:(1) Kid: I haven't done my homework yet. (2) Mother: You haven't done your homework yet! That's incredible! Two hours for one page!My question is on yet in yes/no questions: Are these correct definitions and reasoning?(1) to ask with emphasis about the possibility that actions have occurred between an indefinite period of time in the past and now. In short: before now.(2) to show surprise in our question because the actions have not occurred by now (at some time before now).Examples:(1) Mother: Have you done your homework yet?(2) Mother: Have you done your homework yet? That's incredible! Two hours for one page!To me, the first one is more neutral. Because you are asking for information, it can be answer with a 'yes' or 'no'.But for the second option, we should have visual evidence or previous information, shouldn't we? So, the answers is always no, isn't it?Thanks in advance.

Tenacious Learner · Accepted Answer

Though I suspect that:
(2) Mother: Have you done your homework yet? That's incredible! Two hours for one page!
Should be in the negative,"Haven't you done your homework yet? ..." or " You haven't done your homework yet? ..."
Then it has this meaning:
(2) to show surprise in our question because the actions have not occurred by now (at some time before now).
and this reasoning:
We should have visual evidence or previous information, shouldn't we? So, the answers is always no, isn't it?

TS

Shawn79 · Answer

Thinking SpainThese are good definitions for yet in negative sentences:
(1) To emphasize actions that have not occurred between an indefinite period of time in the past and now. In short: before now.
Examples:
(1) Mother: Have you done your homework yet?

Hi TS,

(1) Since yet can be used with a negative sentence not only in the present perfect, but the past perfect as well, you might need to expand your definition beyond "before now". From Collins Dictionary: "yet: up to now or the time specified".

For example: "When his favorite TV show came on, he hadn't done his homework yet, but I'm sure he has finished it by now."

Thinking SpainThese are good definitions for yet in negative sentences:
(2) To show surprise that actions have not occurred by now (at some time before now).
Examples:
(2) Mother: Have you done your homework yet? That's incredible! Two hours for one page!

(2) I don't sense any surprise in the isolated question in red simply by using yet. The expression of surprise is from the two statements that follow the question.

My feeling is that "yet" emphasizes the "when" (time element) of the action, potentially revealing something about intentions or expectations and nothing necessarily to do with incredulity or surprise.

"Have you been to the new store."
"No, I haven't."
Whether the person has plans of ever going to the new store is not clear.

"Have you been to the new store yet?"
"No, I haven't yet.... (maybe someday...)"
These suggest both expectation and intent respectively, in that the the person may eventually go to the new store and may even have plans to do so.

Final examples:
"I haven't cleaned the dishes yet" suggests the person speaking probably intends to clean them eventually.
"Have you cleaned the dishes yet?" means the person asking expects the person asked will eventually clean them

Helpful at all?

Shawn79 · Answer

Thinking Spain(2) Mother: Have you done your homework yet? That's incredible! Two hours for one page!Should be in the negative,"Haven't you done your homework yet? ..." or " You haven't done your homework yet? ..."Then it has this meaning:(2) to show surprise in our question because the actions have not occurred by now (at some time before now).and this reasoning:

Exactly; it's the use of the negative here that adds a tone of surprise, not the word yet itself.

You believe the homework has not been done, but you think it should have been done, therefore in surprise you ask in the negative:

"Haven't you done your homework?" - This expresses surprise, without yet.

In addition to your sense of surprise, if you wish to emphasize your expectation that the homework will be done:

"Haven't you done your homework yet?" - (I expect you will eventually do the homework, although not absolutely certain)

Also, see my comment in your other post regarding the time definition of "yet".

¡Feliz Pascua!

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Shawn79Helpful at all?

Hi Shawn,
I'm astonished!

Your comments are undoubtedly very helpful!

Thanks a lot.

TS

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Shawn,
Thanks for this one too! Crystal clear. I have no more questions.

¡Feliz Pascua for you too! I didn't know you speak Spanish. Even punctuation is correct.

TS

Yet in yes/no questions [Are they correct definitions and reasoning?]

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions