yet vs still 1

[Chacalinc]

Hi guys,

I'm very confused about the difference between still and yet.

From

http://www.yourdictionary.com

Yet:
1. At this time; for the present: isn't ready yet.
2. Up to a specified time; thus far: The end had not yet come.
3. At a future time; eventually: may yet change his mind.

Still:
a. At the present time; for the present: We are still waiting.
b. Up to or at a specified time; yet: still had not made up her mind.
c. At a future time; eventually: may still see the error of his ways.

I can see that for "yet" the explanation says "adv." and for still it sais "n", but I don't know what that means!

Please use complete words, not acronyms (I speak spanish!)

Thanks!

Chacal, Inc.

 

[Stella740pl]

For the definition you selected, it would be "adv." - adverb, for still, too.

The word still which is "n." - noun, the definition is completely different -

Still:
1. An apparatus for distilling liquids, such as alcohols, consisting of a vessel in which the substance is vaporized by heat and a cooling device in which the vapor is condensed.
2. A distillery.

According to the same dictionary,

Adverb:

1. The part of speech that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb.
2. Any of the words belonging to this part of speech, such as so, very, and rapidly.

In other words, an adverb is usually that word with which you can answer to a question "How?".

 

[Chacalinc]

ok, I understand about adverb and noun, I should saw the "adverb" meaning before , but -and sorry for being so hard of brain- what phrase is correct:

1. "We are still waiting"
2. "We are yet waiting" (or "We are waiting yet")

??

Cheers.

Chacal, Inc.

 

[SantaMufasa]

Chacal,

Como usted sabe, el inglés las palabras "yet" y "still" traduce a la misma palabra en español: "todavía".

Pero, en inglés, "still" implica una continuación de una posición previa; "yet" implica un cambio de una posición previa. Aquí está un ejemplo:

1) Are you still here? (You continue to be here.)

2) Aren't you here yet? (You are not here now; When you arrive, you will change status to "being here".)


Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
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[sleipnir214]

Chacalinc:
To the best of my knowledge, when dealing with matters of time, as in your example, the two are largely interchangeable. It is my impression that you will hear "yet" a little more often in this sence in U.K. English.

It is in the other meanings, dealing with the lack of motion or soundlessness, then the use of "still" becomes more clear.


Which word to use in the exact examples above depends, I suppose, on the additional meanings you want to paint into the utterance. To my mind, the "yet" sentence simply relates the fact that the anticipated event has not so far occurred. The "still" sentence includes this meaning and seems to hint at the idea that perhaps we have suspended other activities in anticipation of the waited-for event.

The "yet" sentence feels a little stilted, too.

Or I could be reading to much into all of this.

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[SantaMufasa]

Lo siento: ..."yet" y "still" traducen a la misma palabra...

Mufasa
(aka Dave of Sandy, Utah, USA)
[

http://www.dasages.com:

Providing low-cost remote Database Admin services]
Click here to join Utah Oracle Users Group on Tek-Tips if you use Oracle in Utah USA.

 

[CajunCenturion]

For those who are interested in SantaMufasa's comments, he said that 'yet' and 'still' translate to the same word in Spansh 'todavía', but in English, 'still' implies a continuation of status, but 'yet' implies a change in status. He then provided examples.

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[tsdragon]

Gracias, CC!


Tracy Dryden

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.

 

[TheRambler]

Hi,

Use still in positive sentences:
1) They are still living in New York.
2) You can still win.

Use yet at the end of negative sentences:
1) I haven't finished yet.
2) It's not time to go yet.

In questions you can use both, but there is a difference in meaning:
1) Is he still here?
(Does he continue to be here?)
2) Is he here yet?
(Has he arrived?)

I understand things can not be so simple when dealing with grammar, though.

SantaMufasa
Your Spanish is very good, just remember aún is a sinonym for todavía, I guess the main difference is that aún is an adverb of time only, while todavía is an adverb of time, manner or degree.
1) ¿Estás comiendo todavía?
Are you still eating?
2) Ella es mala pero él todavía la quiere.
She is mean, but he still loves her.
3) El es todavía más tonto que su novia.
He is still (even) sillier than his girlfriend.

I really don't know all this stuff (but I can understand it and I am willing to learn), I gathered the information from this free dictionary/translator.

To complicate things a little more, don't confuse aún (explained above) with aun, which translates as even.

 

[Chacalinc]

SantaMufasa:

(we are not worthy)

you are really amazing... I saw older posts where you write (obviuosly) in english and german, and now you gave me an excellent explanation in spanish! gosh, I can hardly write in english!

Anyway, I understand 'yet' and 'still' quite clear with your response.

CajunCenturion; thanks for posting the Santa's explanation in english.

theRambler:

just remember aún is a sinonym for todavía, I guess the main difference is that aún is an adverb of time only, while todavía is an adverb of time, manner or degree.

you are right on this one.

don't confuse aún (explained above) with aun, which translates as even.

Yes, you write "aún" when this word can be replaced with "todavía" and you write "aun" when you mean as "even".

From the "Real Academia Española" (who writes the spanish dictionay):

ORTOGRAFIA. Escrito con acento cuando pueda sustituirse por todavía. Ejemplo: Aún ('todavía') está enfermo. En los demás casos, se escribirá sin tilde.Ejemplo: Te daré $100, y aun ('hasta') 200, si los necesitas. No tengo yo tanto, ni aun ('ni siquiera') la mitad.

hasta: "up to"
ni siquiera: "not even"

Thanks guys! I'm quite clear now.

BTW: I'm pretty sure that you see several 'horrors' in my written english... please, I read every post in this forum becasue I'm learning a lot, so if I make any mistake please correct me.

Thanks again!

Chacal, Inc.

 

[tsdragon]

Your English is better than many Americans'!


Tracy Dryden

Meddle not in the affairs of dragons,
For you are crunchy, and good with mustard.

 

[Chacalinc]

BTW, Sleipnir: you wrote "...dealing with the lack of motion or soundlessness, then the use of "still" becomes more clear."...well, according to

http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/s/s0758700.html

'still' as and adverb means:

1. Without movement; motionlessly: stand still.

In this case, 'still' in spanish could be "quieto":

"To my mind, the "yet" sentence simply relates the fact that the anticipated event has not so far occurred." ...It's accord to "a change" as SantaMufasa stated.

"The "still" sentence includes this meaning and seems to hint at the idea that perhaps we have suspended other activities in anticipation of the waited-for event."... it sounds to me as "continuing the action". According to SantaMufasa, still is used as a continuation of something, as "we are still here".

thanks!


Chacal, Inc.

 

[sleipnir214]

Chacalinc:
I don't understand the point you're trying to make.

Want the best answers? Ask the best questions!

TANSTAAFL!!

 

[Chacalinc]

Sleipnir:
Just clarifying the concept to myself. Your explanation made my explore a little bit more about "still".

Thanks for your help Sleipnir.

Chacal, Inc.