Adverbs: about to, already, just, still, yet
These adverbs add information about time.
About to
We use ‘be about to do something’ to mean ‘be going to do something very soon’.
- Ssshhh…! The movie is about to start.
- They were about to complain when their meal finally arrived.
The structure is:
be + about to + base verb
Already, Just, Yet, Still
| Note: In British English, these adverbs are often used with the Present Perfect tense. Americans often use the past tense. |
Already
We use ‘already’ to say that something happened early, or earlier than we expected.
- I’ve already finished my homework.
- Really? That was quick!
- Would you like something to eat?
- No, thanks. We’ve already had lunch.
- Is it ten o’clock already? I can’t believe it!
Just
Here, ‘just’ means ‘a short time ago’.
- I’ve just had breakfast.
- Has he just arrived?
| Note: ‘Already’ and ‘just’ come between ‘have/has’ and the past participle. |
Yet
We use ‘yet’ to talk about things we expect to happen.
- I haven’t seen that movie yet.
- Have you cleaned your teeth yet?
- Is dinner ready yet?
| Note: We only use ‘yet’ in negative sentences and questions. It usually comes at the end of the sentence. |
Still
We use ‘still’ to talk about things which have not happened or finished as we expected.
- I’ve been here for twenty minutes but the bus still hasn’t come.
- You still haven’t washed the dishes.
- Is it still raining?
| Note: When we use ‘still’ with the present perfect, it comes before ‘have/has’. |