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

How to Choose the Right One Under Pressure

By the time you reach the later questions on TOEIC Reading, the tough vocabulary is behind you — but that’s exactly when they hit you with traps like:

Have you ___ submitted the report?

Already? Yet? Still?
All three look fine. All three feel familiar. And that’s why so many strong test-takers lose points here.

1️⃣ The Real Trap

TOEIC isn’t testing if you know these words — it’s testing if you can match them to the right timing in the sentence.

Common wrong answers you might hear in casual speech but TOEIC will mark wrong:
❌ 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.

2️⃣ Patterns That Always Work

Already → Something is finished (positive statements)

  • I’ve already sent the invoice.

  • She’s already left for the day.

  • We’ve already decided.

📌 Works with positive sentences, often with perfect tenses.
🚫 Avoid in “Did you…?” questions on TOEIC — use “yet” instead.

Yet → Something is expected but hasn’t happened (questions & negatives)

  • I haven’t finished it yet.

  • Has he arrived yet?

  • We haven’t made a decision yet.

📌 Avoid in positive statements — “I finished it yet” is wrong.

Still → 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 with actions that are already finished: “I still completed it” doesn’t work.

3️⃣ TOEIC-Style Practice

Q1. Have you ___ finished the updates?
(A) yet
(B) still
(C) already
(D) always
✅ Answer: (C) already — Positive statement + perfect tense.

Q2. She’s ___ waiting for approval.
(A) already
(B) still
(C) yet
(D) ever
✅ Answer: (B) still — Ongoing action.

Q3. I haven’t checked the schedule ___.
(A) yet
(B) already
(C) still
(D) ever
✅ Answer: (A) yet — Negative + incomplete action.

Q4. Did you ___ book the meeting room?
(A) still
(B) yet
(C) already
(D) even
✅ Answer: (B) yet — Question format with “Did you…?”

Q5. We ___ haven’t received a response.
(A) yet
(B) always
(C) still
(D) already
✅ Answer: (C) still — Emphasizes the delay.

📌 Strategy / Takeaway

  • Already → Done (positive, ahead of schedule).

  • Yet → Not done (negatives, questions).

  • Still → Ongoing (continuing longer than expected).

Golden Rule:

If the question feels “too easy,” double-check. TOEIC puts these traps where you least expect them.

Final Word

These words are short and simple, but they’re placed to catch you off guard when your focus is fading. Match them to the sentence timing, and you’ll turn an easy trap into an easy point.

For more strategies and resources to master TOEIC timing-word traps, visit the English Library Collection and start locking in “already/yet/still” confidence today.

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.