"yet" and "already"

[Wonderful]

Hi,

If I'm asked to choose between "yet" and "already" to fill in the following sentences, which word is correct in each?

1. We haven't _________ finished writing the script.
2. Haven't you had anything to eat _____________?

Thanks.

[Michauek]

1) yet
2) yet

I'm not sure but I think that's the answer.
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Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. Oscar Wilde
Michal. I'm an english student :-)

[Yankee]

You are right, michauek.

The word 'yet' is typically found in interrogative (2) and negative sentences (1 and 2). In an affirmative sentence, 'already' is generally the word to use:

- We have already finished writing the script.

However, if you changed the word 'anything' to 'something' in sentence 2, you should use 'already':

Haven't you had something thing to eat already?

The reason for 'already' is that this sentence simply requests confirmation of something the speaker believes to be true (I believe you have already had something to eat. That's true, right?).
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Alan]

Hi Wonderful,

You could also note that 'yet' despite its size is a very versatile word and has other uses in a positive statement. It takes on the idea of 'still' (adverb) in a sentence like:

We have yet to see the results of the tests - suggesting they are due to come.

or suggesting 'nevertheless' - 'on the other hand' as in:

I have seen the results, yet I still believe that they are only part of the picture.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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