Already / Yet / Still — Why These Simple Words Cost You Points on TOEIC

You thought the hard part was over. Then the easy words confused you.

You’re on Question 122. The hard vocab is behind you.
Then you hit this:

"Have you ___ submitted the report?"

You freeze.

  • “Already” sounds right.

  • “Yet” is tempting.

  • “Still” feels close.

You’ve seen them all in textbooks. You’ve heard them in meetings.
But now they’re blurring together.

And TOEIC knows this is your weak spot.

What’s the Trap?

TOEIC isn’t testing your vocabulary.

It’s testing your instinct for sentence timing.

Here’s how they trick you:

  • ❌ “Did you already call him?”

  • ❌ “I didn’t still get the update.”

  • ❌ “She’s yet working on the file.”

  • ❌ “He has still not yet arrived.” (Too much at once)

These sentences sound okay when spoken quickly — but TOEIC is strict.
You need to know which word matches which kind of sentence.

What Actually Works — No Grammar Needed

Forget the rules. Remember the rhythm.

✅ Use “already” in positive sentences

It means something is finished sooner than expected.

  • ✅ I’ve already sent the invoice.

  • ✅ She’s already left for the day.

  • ✅ We’ve already decided.

🚫 Don’t use it in questions that start with “Did”:

  • ❌ Did you already submit it? → unnatural in TOEIC

  • ✅ Have you already submitted it? → correct

✅ Use “yet” in questions and negatives

It means something is expected but hasn’t happened.

  • ✅ I haven’t finished it yet.

  • ✅ Has he arrived yet?

  • ✅ We haven’t made a decision yet.

🚫 Don’t use it in positive statements:

  • ❌ I finished it yet. → wrong

✅ Use “still” to show something is continuing longer than expected

  • ✅ She’s still working on the report.

  • ✅ We still haven’t heard back.

  • ✅ They’re still reviewing the contract.

🚫 Don’t use it with actions that are already finished.

  • ❌ I still completed it. → impossible

TOEIC Practice Questions

Have you ___ finished the updates?

(A) yet
(B) still
(C) already
(D) always

✅ Correct Answer: (C) already
Why: Positive sentence + perfect tense → use “already.”

She’s ___ waiting for approval.

(A) already
(B) still
(C) yet
(D) ever

✅ Correct Answer: (B) still
Why: Action is ongoing. “Still” shows it hasn’t ended.

I haven’t checked the schedule ___.

(A) yet
(B) already
(C) still
(D) ever

✅ Correct Answer: (A) yet
Why: Negative sentence + incomplete action → “yet” fits best.

Did you ___ book the meeting room?

(A) still
(B) yet
(C) already
(D) even

✅ Correct Answer: (B) yet
Why: Questions like this take “yet” at the end.

We ___ haven’t received a response.

(A) yet
(B) always
(C) still
(D) already

✅ Correct Answer: (C) still
Why: Ongoing delay → “still” emphasizes how long it’s taking.

Final Recap — How to Keep Them Straight

Here’s how to stop mixing them up under pressure:

  • ✅ Already = Done. (Positive, ahead of schedule)

  • ✅ Yet = Not done. (Negatives, questions)

  • ✅ Still = Ongoing. (Continuing longer than expected)

If it feels like an easy question, double-check.
TOEIC puts the trap where you least expect it.

What’s the difference between already and yet? “Already” is for things that are done. “Yet” is for things that haven’t happened but are expected. Can I say “Did you already finish it”? It’s common in speaking, but TOEIC prefers “Have you already finished it?” When should I use “yet”? Use “yet” in questions and negative sentences. Example: “I haven’t finished yet.” Can I use “still” in positive sentences? Yes, if something is continuing. Example: “I still live in Tokyo.” Is “She’s yet working on it” correct? No. Say “She’s still working on it.” What does “already” mean in TOEIC questions? It means something is done, often earlier than expected. Can I use “yet” in positive sentences? No. “Yet” is not used in positive statements like “I finished yet.” What’s wrong with “I didn’t still get it”? “Still” is not used in negative past like that. Say “I still haven’t gotten it.” Can I say “still haven’t” in TOEIC? Yes. It’s correct and common. Example: “We still haven’t received the package.” Is it okay to say “He has still not yet arrived”? It sounds too heavy. Choose one: “He has still not arrived” or “He hasn’t arrived yet.” How do I know if I should use “still” or “yet”? Use “still” when something is continuing. Use “yet” for things that haven’t happened. Where do I put “already” in a sentence? Usually in the middle. Example: “She has already left.” Can I use “yet” at the beginning of a sentence? Not usually. It sounds strange. Keep it at the end: “Has she arrived yet?” Is “still” okay in formal writing? Yes. “Still” is neutral and used in both formal and casual writing. Can I use “already” in a question? Yes, but use it with perfect tenses. Example: “Have you already seen it?” Why does TOEIC test “yet” and “still”? Because many learners confuse them when under time pressure. What’s the meaning of “still” in TOEIC? It shows that something is not finished. Example: “They are still working.” Can I say “He’s already not here”? No. Say “He’s not here yet” or “He has already left.” Can I use “already” in negatives? Not usually. Say “not yet” or “still not” instead. How can I practice using “already,” “yet,” and “still”? Make example sentences from your life. Say them out loud and feel the difference in timing.