Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge English: Preliminary

Grammar practice for the Cambridge PET exam

Grammar: Yet and Already

1: Work it Out

We use 'yet' and 'already' for different reasons. Do you know the difference between them?

Look at these sentences. Pay attention to the words in bold and try to work out when we use 'yet' and when we use 'already'.

Have you finished your homework yet?
Have you finished your homework already? That was quick!
Haven't you finished your homework yet? Hurry up!

Now try the quiz below to check your ideas.

2: Spot the Difference

Complete each of the following sentences using 'yet' or 'already':

A) I haven't had anything to eat and feel quite hungry.
B) I've eaten lunch so don't cook me anything.
C) He told me his name but I have forgotten it.
D) I haven't seen that new film . I might go tonight.
E) Have you eaten those biscuits ? I only bought them this morning.
F) Have you met your new boss ?

Well done. We use ALREADY in positive statements to mean something has happened sooner than expected. For example 'I've already eaten lunch so don't cook me anything.' We also use 'already' to show surprise when asking a question. For example 'Have you eaten those biscuits already? I only bought them this morning.' We use YET to mean 'at any time up to now'. 'Yet' often appears in negative statements. For example, 'I haven't seen that new film yet'. We also use 'yet' in negative questions. For example 'Haven't you finished your homework yet?' It is also used simply for information. For example, 'Have you met your new boss yet?' We use ALREADY in positive statements to mean something has happened sooner than expected. For example 'I've already eaten lunch so don't cook me anything.' We also use 'already' to show surprise when asking a question. For example 'Have you eaten those biscuits already? I only bought them this morning.' We use YET to mean 'at any time up to now'. 'Yet' often appears in negative statements. For example, 'I haven't seen that new film yet'. We also use 'yet' in negative questions. For example 'Haven't you finished your homework yet?' It is also used simply for information. For example, 'Have you met your new boss yet?'Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

 

 

3: Sentence Transformation

For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words.

1. I still have to pay the bill.
I haven't paid .........................................

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'THE BILL YET'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

2. I saw that film before.
I .......................................... seen that film.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'HAVE ALREADY'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

3. Are you still at work?
Haven't you finished ........................................?

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'WORK YET?'Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

4. They previously sold their house.
They have ........................................ their house.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'ALREADY SOLD'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

5. John and Silvia went home earlier.
John and Silvia have ........................................ home.

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'ALREADY GONE'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

6. Is the football match over?
Has the football match ........................................?

That's right.No. The correct answer is 'FINISHED YET' or 'ENDED YET'.Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

Study Tip, Grammar

Need more practice in 'yet' and 'already'? Think about things you have done or achieved in your life and things you haven't. Write sentences using 'already' and 'yet'.

I've already been to France.
I haven't learnt to drive yet.