Yet

USAGE SUMMARY

"yet" is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
It is typically used as a conjunction, pairing two ideas and indicating that the second idea is a contrast to the first. For example, "I had not yet gone to the store" indicates that the speaker had not gone to the store at the time being discussed, but may have gone to the store at some point in the future.

✓ 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

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

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.

The Guardian - Sport

But not just yet.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "yet" to introduce a contrasting idea or to indicate that something has not happened up to a certain point in time. Ensure the context clearly establishes the contrast or temporal relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "yet" simply as a substitute for "and" when no real contrast or temporal aspect is intended. "Yet" implies a degree of surprise or contradiction that "and" does not.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "yet" is as a conjunction, connecting clauses or phrases to introduce a contrast or qualification. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in linking opposing ideas or indicating unfulfilled expectations. It can also function as an adverb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "yet" functions primarily as a conjunction, introducing contrast, surprise, or something that has not happened up to a certain point. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very commonly used, especially in News & Media contexts. When writing, ensure that "yet" is used to introduce a real contrast or temporal aspect, avoiding its misuse as a simple substitute for "and". Consider alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nevertheless

Indicates a contrast or concession, similar to "yet" in its conjunctive use.

However

Expresses contrast or introduction of a conflicting idea, much like "yet".

Still

Indicates continuation or persistence, resembling "yet" when used to show something continuing up to a point.

Even so

Implies a concession or acceptance of a previous statement, similar to "yet" in introducing a contrasting point.

Nonetheless

Functions as a synonym for "nevertheless", presenting a contrast to what was previously stated, as "yet" often does.

But

A basic conjunction that introduces contrast, sharing a fundamental function with "yet".

Up to now

Focuses on the time aspect, similar to "yet" when used to indicate something has not happened until the present.

As of yet

Emphasizes that something has not happened up to the present time, a meaning shared with "yet".

To date

Similar to "up to now" and "as of yet", highlighting the present time in relation to a past event or state.

Hitherto

Indicates something occurring up to a certain point, similar to "yet" when used to express something not having happened until now.

FAQs

How can I use "yet" in a sentence?

You can use "yet" to introduce a contrasting idea (e.g., "I was tired, "yet" I couldn't sleep") or to indicate something hasn't happened (e.g., "I have "yet" to see the movie").

What's a good alternative to "yet" when showing contrast?

Alternatives to "yet" for showing contrast include "however", "nevertheless", or "nonetheless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "yet"?

While it's generally acceptable to start a sentence with "yet", it is often considered more formal or emphatic. Starting with "but" or "however" might be more common in informal writing.

What is the difference between "yet" and "already"?

"Yet" indicates something that hasn't happened but is expected or possible, while "already" indicates something that has happened sooner than expected. For example, "Have you finished your homework "yet"?" vs. "I've "already" finished my homework."