DIFFERENT USES OF THE WORD - YET



Some of my students asked about the various uses of this word. So here we go then ladies and gentlemen 
 

YET - Non-affirmative word 

a) Negative sentences - Looking to the future: to say that something which is expected has not happened but we hope it will. 
- Has the hamster died? ~ Not yet! (but we hope it will) 
- The hamster hasn't died yet! (but we still hope it might)
 

b) Question sentences - to ask whether something expected has happened. 

- Is the hamster dead yet? 

- Have you won the lottery yet? If not, keep trying damn you!

 


b) YET - (in the above) is often used with present perfect in British English but with Past Simple in the slightly more backwards primitive American English (no offence to my dear American friends) 
- Have you washed your armpits yet? (Normal British English) 
- Did you wash your armpits yet? (....... American English)

 


c) YET - meaning "Still." Yet can be used in affirmative sentences to mean still. This is quite formal and is gay in casual spoken English. The most common structure is: HAVE + YET + INFINITIVE 
- You have yet to pass your driving test! 
- (normal): You still need to pass your driving test! 



d) YET - after superlatives. Meaning: ever so far! Quite informal and sweet! 
- This is the tastiest Domestos yet! (tastiest ever so far!) 
- This holiday in Afghanistan is the best yet! (best ever so far!) 



e) YET - Discourse marker. Suggests that something is surprising in view of what was said before. 
- Mrs Wurst, your application says you're a woman and yet you have a massive beard! 
- John claims to be a man of honour. Yet, he has about 20 wives all living in different countries! Lucky bastard!