was not yet

USAGE SUMMARY

"was not yet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that had not happened or been done by a certain time. For example, "The project was not yet complete by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It was, 'Not yet.

The New York Times

It was not yet fat.

The New Yorker

"I was not yet twenty.

The New Yorker

Tom was not yet five.

The New Yorker

"The Today Show" was not yet confirmed.

The New York Times

He was not yet a hero".

The New Yorker

But it was not yet a career.

The New York Times

Still, this was not yet the Holocaust.

The New York Times - Books

His voice was not yet gravelly.

The Economist

My husband was not yet in office.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Popovich wasn't yet aloft).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not yet" to clearly indicate that something hadn't happened or reached a specific state up to a certain point in time. This helps establish a chronological context for your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was not yet" when you intend to express that something will never happen. The phrase implies that the event or state is expected to occur at some later time. If you mean something will absolutely not happen, use "will never be" or similar phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not yet" functions as a temporal marker, indicating that a certain condition, state, or event had not been realized up to a specific point in time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. It's used to establish a chronological context, as demonstrated in examples like 'It was not yet 10 a.m.'

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not yet" is a versatile phrase used to establish a temporal context, indicating that something hadn't happened or reached a certain state by a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various writing styles. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, and according to Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. Remember to use it accurately to imply a future expectation, and not as a statement of permanent absence. This ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had not yet been

Focuses on the absence of a completed action.

had not reached

Emphasizes a state or level that hadn't been attained.

was still to be

Highlights the future occurrence of something.

did not yet exist

Indicates the complete absence of something at a specific time.

was yet to happen

Directly states that an event was pending.

remained unfulfilled

Emphasizes the lack of completion or satisfaction.

was not at that point

Specifies a particular time when something wasn't true.

had not come to pass

A more formal way of saying something hadn't happened.

was short of

Implies a deficiency or incompleteness.

was lacking

Focuses on the absence of a necessary element.

FAQs

How can I use "was not yet" in a sentence?

Use "was not yet" to indicate that something hadn't happened or reached a specific state up to a particular point in time. For example, "The project "was not yet" complete when the manager checked."

What phrases are similar to "was not yet"?

Similar phrases include "had not yet been", "was still to be", or "did not yet exist", each emphasizing the absence of something up to a certain time.

Is it ever incorrect to use "was not yet"?

Yes, avoid using "was not yet" if you mean something will absolutely never occur. The phrase suggests an expectation of future occurrence, so alternatives like "will never be" are more appropriate in such cases.

What’s the difference between "was not yet" and "was still not"?

"Was not yet" implies that something is expected to happen or be completed in the future, whereas "was still not" suggests a continued absence or lack of something, without necessarily implying a future change.