already, still
这两个词意思相近,但already指比预想的时间早, still指比预想的时间长。试比较以下两个句子:
The coffee is cold already.
咖啡已经凉了。
The coffee is still hot.
咖啡还热着。
already, yet
这两个词意思相近,它们的区别是:
1.already多用于肯定句,而yet多用于疑问句或否定句。例如:
The guests have already arrived.客人已经到了。
Have the guests arrived yet?客人到了吗?
The guests have not arrived yet.客人还没到。
2.already有时也可用于疑问句中表示惊讶、怀疑,或者表示期望〔预计〕有一个肯定的回答。试比较以下两个句子:
Have you had your lunch yet?
你吃过午饭了吗?(一般疑问句)
Have you had your lunch already?
你已经吃过午饭了?(表示惊讶)
Have you received your invitation yet?
你收到邀请信了吗?(一般疑问句)
Have you already received your invitation?
你已经收到邀请信了吧?
(料想已收到,想证实)
3.yet有时也可用于肯定句中,意思与still相同(仍然,还; 迟早),而与already不同。
already, all ready
这两者读起来音相同,但却绝非一回事。already是副词, ready是形容词; already的意思是“已经”, all ready的意思是“全准备好”, all用以表示程度。试比较:
He is already there.
他已经在那儿了。
He is all ready there.
他在那儿完全准备好了。
The tea is already on the table.
茶已摆在茶几上了。
The tea is all ready on the table.
茶已沏好,摆在茶几上了。