Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[syoshioka99]

問１８　�What do you want to do after you graduate?�
　� ( ).�
①　I haven�t decided yet ②　I�m still not deciding
③　I still don�t decide ④　I wasn�t decided yet

(Question)
The answer is ①.
Can you tell me why ② is incorrect?

JAPAN

SATORU

[alan.es]

Unless your level of English is really very good, I would recomend that you accept the simple explanation that we use 'yet' in negative sentences and questions with the present perfect tense. We use 'still' in affirmative sentences with a variety of tenses to imply an activity that continues.

The use of 'still, yet and already' can be extremely confusing for non-native speakers. It can be confused even more by changes in the tone of voice.

In my opinion 'I'm still not deciding' is not an answer that you would expect to this question in normal circumstances and so incorrect. Any explanation more than that will be long and possibly difficult to follow -

so my advice is just accept that no. 1 is the correct answer.

[syoshioka99]

Thank you for your reply.

問１８　�What do you want to do after you graduate?�
　� ( ).�
①　I haven�t decided yet ②　I�m still not deciding
③　I still don�t decide ④　I wasn�t decided yet
（１９９９追）

(Further Question)
What if No.2 is like this?:I'm not deciding yet.

Satoru

[alan.es]

It would still be an unusual answer to this question though it could be used in particular situations.

[syoshioka99]

Regarding your comment, I would like you to answer my question if possible.
(Question)
What are the particular situations where you can use "I'm not deciding yet." Could you please give me any examples?

Satoru

[Lorikeet]

"I'm not deciding yet" sounds to me like you don't want to make the decision. Maybe you are even defiant (not deciding although another person wants you to decide).

Mary: So have you decided where you want to go to school?
John: No.
Mary: You have to hurry and make up your mind!
John: I'm sorry I'm not deciding yet. I'm not ready and don't push me.


That's the best I can do for an example. It's possible that the grammar isn't "acceptable" but I think it could be used.

[alan.es]

I said at the beginning that this is getting into an area which most students learning English never have to go.


If a University student had never really considered at any time what they might do after they graduate, they could say, "I'm not deciding yet." It's a form of sentence that might only be used a few times in a life-time even by a native speaker.

If they said, "I'm still not deciding ", it could be that their parent or tutor had been pressing them to make a decision. However the student doesn't want to make any decision and replies, "No matter how much you ask me, I'm still not deciding."

P.S. thank you, Lorikeet, an excellent example.


However the use of 'yet' with the present perfect in negatives and questions is probably used every day in conversations and well worth studying and knowing well.

[syoshioka99]

Thank you!