Hello! This
week on "Ask a Teacher", we
will answer a question about the
difference between STILL and YET.
STILL and YET have very different
meanings and uses. In some situations, they can be used
in the same way. Let us begin by
looking at STILL.
meanings and uses:
significados y usos; in the same
way: de la misma forma;
STILL
Although STILL can be an
adjective, noun or verb, we often
use it as an adverb. As an adverb,
STILL describes an action that began
in the past and continues into the
present. We often use it before the
base verb. For example:
we often use it: a menudo lo
usamos; as an adverb: como
adverbio; that began in the past:
que comenzó en el pasado; and
continues into the present: y
continua hssta el presente;
She STILL talks with her college
friends years later.
Ella TODAVÍA habla con sus amigos de
la universidad años después.
I have been eating all day,
but I’m STILL hungry!
¡He estado comiendo todo el día,
pero TODAVÍA tengo hambre!
Using STILL in
negative statements
means that the action should change,
but it has not.
means that: significa que;
the action should change: la
acción deberia cambiar; but it
has not: pero (la acción) no ha
cambiado;
I STILL haven't finished
cleaning. There is just too much to
do.
TODAVÍA no he terminado de
limpiar. Hay demasiado que hacer.
LET'S MOVE ON TO "YET"
Ahora pasemos a "YET"
YET can be either an adverb or a
conjunction, which links two clauses
together. As an adverb, YET refers
to an action that has not happened
but is expected. Someone might be
waiting for it to happen. We often
use it with negative statements. As
a conjunction, YET means “but at the
same time”. Let us look at a few
examples:
either ... or ...: una cosa o
la otra; which links ... together:
que une o enlaza; that has not
happened: que no ha sucedido;
but is expected: pero se espera
que lo haga; someone might be
waiting: alguien podría estar
esperando; for it to happen:
que ello suceda;
You want to get the project
done, YET you also want to be fair
with everyone involved.
Usted quiere terminar el
proyecto, PERO (AL MISMO TIEMPO)
también quiere ser justo con todos
los involucrados.
They aimed to honor the
establishment of the policy, YET it
had many shortcomings that left
members unsure.
El objetivo de ellos/as era
honrar el establecimiento de la
política, AUNQUE tenía muchas
deficiencias que dejaban a los
miembros inseguros.
Both of these sentences contain two
clauses involving action that is
taking place at the same time.
both of these sentences:
estas dos oraciones; involving
action: que involucran una
acción; that is taking place:
que está ocurriendo; at the same
time: al mismo tiempo;
Other uses as a conjunction can
show difference:
The sun is out, YET it is very
cold.
Salió el sol, PERO hace mucho frío.
YET” is used to create
a contrast
and combine the clauses into one
sentence.
is used to create a contrast:
se usa para crear un contraste;
YET can also be used as an adverb:
I have YET to receive my
package.
TODAVÍA tengo que recibir mi
paquete.
In this case, the person is
waiting for their package to arrive.
the person is waiting: la
persona está esperando; for their
package to arrive: que llegue
(entreguen) su paquete;
Have you made dinner YET, Faith?
No, I haven’t. I’ve been too busy
working.
¿YA hiciste la cena, Faith?
No, no la he preparado. He estado
demasiado ocupada trabajando.
“Yet” is often used at the end of the statement or question.
YET AND STILL
Both YET’ and STILL can be used
in the same way when talking about
situations in the past using
negative statements that continue
into the present.
both YET and STILL: tanto YET
como STILL;
He STILL has not returned my
phone call.
Él TODAVÍA no ha devuelto mi
llamada telefónica.
He has not returned my phone call
YET.
Él TODAVÍA no ha devuelto mi
llamada telefónica.
Note that STILL goes before
the verb and YET is at the end of
the sentence.
Some native speakers notice a
slightly different tone
when saying these words aloud. If
STILL is used, this could be a sign
of being upset or impatient with the
situation, especially if STILL is
emphasized
while speaking. As in:
He "STILL" has not returned
my phone call.
a slightly different tone: un
tono de voz ligeramente diferente;
aloud: en voz alta; a sign of
being upset or impatient: una
señal de estar mlesto/a o impaciente;
emphasized: enfatizado o
resaltado con fuerza.
And that’s "Ask a Teacher". I’m Faith Pirlo. And I'm Jill Robbins.
