(yet)

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "(yet)" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has not happened up to the present time but may happen in the future. Example: "I haven't finished my report yet, but I plan to complete it by tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not yet.

The New York Times

"It's not over yet.

The New York Times

Not yet, anyway.

The New York Times

"Not yet," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous, too, not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq".

The Guardian

And yet, and yet.

The New York Times - Health

But it hasn't happened yet.

The Economist

They just don't know it yet.

The New York Times

The Times reported that he said: "You have tanks and armour rolling across the Ukrainian border, and you have an Estonian border guard being captured and not yet still returned.

The Guardian

On average passengers are now paying £600 more for a season ticket and yet seeing no change in their pay packets".

The Guardian

Yet it is not a foolish idea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yet" to introduce a contrasting idea that follows logically from the previous statement. Ensure the contrast is clear and relevant to maintain coherence.

Common error

Avoid using "yet" redundantly with perfect tenses when the meaning is already implied. For example, instead of saying "I have yet to not finish this report", a more concise way to phrase it is "I have not finished this report yet."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yet" is to act as a conjunction, connecting two clauses with contrasting ideas. It can also function as an adverb, indicating that something has not happened up to the present time. Ludwig AI confirms that "yet" is generally used correctly in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "yet" functions primarily as a conjunction or an adverb, used to introduce contrast, indicate continuation, or denote a time-related aspect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is generally correct and widespread. It appears very frequently in news and media, but also in more formal or professional contexts. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts will improve the clarity and impact of your writing. When aiming for alternatives, consider phrases like "nevertheless", "however", or "still" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nevertheless

Indicates a contrast or contradiction, similar to "yet", but emphasizes the opposition more strongly.

however

Introduces a statement that contrasts with or modifies the previous statement, functioning similarly to "yet".

still

Indicates that something continues to be the case, even though there might be reasons for it not to be, similar to one of "yet"'s temporal uses.

even so

Indicates a concession followed by a contrasting statement, mirroring "yet"'s function in connecting opposing ideas.

but

A simple conjunction that introduces a contrast, similar to "yet" in connecting opposing ideas or clauses.

nonetheless

Similar to "nevertheless", it introduces a contrasting statement despite a previous one.

despite that

Highlights a contradiction in circumstances, similar to "yet" in connecting two opposing situations.

up to now

Focuses on the current state in relation to the past, reflecting "yet"'s use in temporal contexts.

as of yet

Emphasizes that something has not happened up to the present time.

to date

Refers to the period from the past until the present, similar to "yet" when indicating something has not happened until now.

FAQs

How can I use "yet" in a sentence?

"Yet" can be used as an adverb to indicate something hasn't happened up to the present time (e.g., "I haven't finished my work yet") or as a conjunction to introduce a contrasting idea (e.g., "She was tired, yet she continued working").

What's the difference between "but" and "yet"?

While both "but" and "yet" introduce contrast, "yet" often implies a sense of surprise or continuation despite the contrast. "But" is a more general contrasting conjunction. For example, "He is poor, "but" happy" vs. "He is poor, "yet" happy" (suggesting his happiness is unexpected given his poverty).

Can I use "yet" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "yet" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrasting or surprising statement. For example: "We expected rain. "Yet", the sun shone brightly."

What are some alternatives to using "yet" as an adverb?

As an adverb, alternatives to "yet" include phrases like "so far", "up to now", or "until now". For example, "I haven't seen the movie so far" is similar to "I haven't seen the movie yet".