Unit 103. Still and yet Anymore / any longer / no longer
A.
Still and
yet
We use still to say that a situation or action is continuing. Still usually goes in the middle of the sentence with the verb (see Unit 102b for the exact position):
It’s 10:00 and Tom is still in bed.
“Have you given up smoking?” “No, I still smoke.”
Are you still living in the same house, or have you moved?
When I went to bed, Ann was still working.
Do you still want to go to the party, or have you changed your mind?
We use yet when we ask if something has happened or when we say that something has not happened. We use yet mainly in questions and negative sentences. Yet usually goes at the end of the sentence:
I’m hungry. Is dinner ready yet?
Have you finished writing that letter yet?
It’s 10:00 and Tom hasn’t gotten up yet. {or… isn’t up yet.)
We don’t know where we’re going on our vacation yet. We often use yet with the present perfect (“Have you finished writing that letter yet?”). See also Unit 15b.
Now compare still and yet in these sentences:
Jack lost his job a year ago and he is still unemployed. Jack lost his job a year ago and hasn’t found another job yet.
Is it still raining? Has it stopped raining yet?
Still is also possible in negative sentences:
He said he would be here an hour ago, and he still hasn’t come. This is similar to “he hasn’t come yet.” But still… not shows a stronger feeling of surprise or impatience. Compare:
She hasn’t written to me yet. (but I expect she will write soon)
She still hasn’t written to me. (she should have written before now)
B.
We use not… anymore, not… any longer, and no longer to say that a situation has changed.
Anymore and any longer go at the end of the sentence:
Mr. Davis doesn’t work here anymore (or any longer). He left about six months ago.
We were good friends once, but we aren’t friends anymore (or any longer).
No longer goes in the middle of the sentence (see Unit 102b):
We are no longer friends.
She no longer loves him.
We do not normally use no more in this way:
He is no longer a student, (not He is no more a student.)
