"Still" means something continues to happen; "yet" means something has not happened but is expected.
Adverb. Indicates that a situation that existed before continues in the present. Mid-position (before the main verb, after "be").
She is still studying. She started three hours ago.
Ella todavia esta estudiando. Empezo hace tres horas.
I still do not understand the problem.
Todavia no entiendo el problema.
Do you still live in the same apartment?
¿Todavia vives en el mismo apartamento?
Adverb. Indicates that something expected has not happened up to now. Goes at the end of the sentence. Mainly used in negatives and questions.
I have not finished the report yet.
Todavia no he terminado el reporte.
Has she arrived yet?
¿Ya llego ella?
The package has not been delivered yet.
El paquete todavia no ha sido entregado.
Common mistake
Common error: "I did not eat yet." — incorrect with standard grammar. Correct: "I have not eaten yet." "Yet" pairs with present perfect in standard British English. Another error: putting "yet" in mid-position: "I yet have not finished." Wrong. It always goes at the end: "I have not finished yet."
Trick to remember it
"Still" = the situation is ongoing (mid-position). "Yet" = something expected has not happened (end of sentence, negatives and questions). If something continues: "still". If something expected has not happened: "yet".
Quick rule
Still = continues (mid-position). Yet = has not happened yet (end position, negatives/questions).
Did you know?
"Already" completes the trio: "Have you finished already?" (surprise, sooner than expected) vs "Have you finished yet?" (neutral question about whether it happened). In informal American English, "yet" sometimes appears with simple past: "Did you eat yet?" — acceptable in speech but not standard in writing.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She has been waiting for two hours and the doctor has not called her _____.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He _____ works at the same company he joined fifteen years ago.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Still = continues (mid-position). Yet = has not happened yet (end position, negatives/questions).
Common error: "I did not eat yet." — incorrect with standard grammar. Correct: "I have not eaten yet." "Yet" pairs with present perfect in standard British English. Another error: putting "yet" in mid-position: "I yet have not finished." Wrong. It always goes at the end: "I have not finished yet."
"Still" = the situation is ongoing (mid-position). "Yet" = something expected has not happened (end of sentence, negatives and questions). If something continues: "still". If something expected has not happened: "yet".
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy