The conjunction yet

Yet has several uses.

Yet can mean ‘in addition’.

• That was yet another cause for trouble.

Yet can mean ‘up to this time’.

• Has the postman come yet?

Yet can mean ‘at some time in the future’.

• The prophet said that there were more dangers yet to come.

Yet can mean ‘ever’, ‘still’ or ‘again’.

• The boy has grown yet taller.

As a conjunction, yet means ‘nevertheless’. Its meaning is similar to but, but it seems to carry an element of distinctiveness that but doesn’t have.

• He was in great pain, yet he played on.
• John plays the violin well, yet his favorite instrument is the piano.

In sentences such as the first one, above, the pronoun subject of the second clause is often left out. When that happens, the comma separating the two clauses might also disappear.

• He was in great pain yet he played on.

Yet can be used together with other conjunctions, but or and. This usage is quite acceptable.

• He was in great pain and yet he played on.

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