Most people know these words. Few use them right — yet they're what gives a sentence its tone.
One little word, several senses: „a moment ago” (I just arrived), „only” (just a coffee), „simply” (just do it). Tone and position decide.
Something is continuing longer than expected — and still hasn't stopped. Usually before the main verb.
I still didn't finish.I still haven't finished.
With „still” about something ongoing up to now, use the present perfect negative: „I still haven't finished”. „Still” + past simple sounds incomplete.
About something expected that hasn't happened so far. Goes at the end, in questions and negatives.
Something has happened sooner than you thought — often with a note of surprise. Usually mid-sentence.
Stresses something surprising or extreme — „even”. Sits right before the word it highlights.
In British English usually „fairly” (quite good = pretty good). Before absolute words it means „completely” (quite right = absolutely right).
a quite long wayquite a long way
With „a”, the order flips: „quite a long way”, not „a quite long way”.
„Fairly / rather”, but with a slightly negative or unexpected tilt — „rather cold” sounds more critical than „quite cold”.
Introduces a correction or something contrary to expectation — „actually, in fact”. Note: it does not mean „currently”.
Actually, I work from home.Currently, I work from home.
If you mean „at present”, use „currently” or „at the moment”. „Actually” means „in fact” — a classic false friend.
