Still vs Till: Meaning, Usage, and Example Sentences
Many students struggle with the difference between still and till in English grammar. Knowing when to use still and till is important for clear writing and speaking. This topic is often tested in school exams, competitive English tests, and is useful in everyday conversations.
| Word | Meaning | Part of Speech | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Still | An action is continuing; not finished yet. | Adverb | He is still waiting for the bus. |
| Till | Up to (a certain time); until. | Conjunction/Preposition | Wait here till I return. |
Difference Between Still and Till
The difference between still and till is simple but important. Still shows something is happening now and is not complete. Till shows the endpoint of something, meaning “up to a certain time.” Both are used for time, but in different ways.
| Aspect | Still | Till |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Adverb | Conjunction/Preposition |
| Meaning | Shows something is continuing now | Shows something lasts up to a point |
| Usage | Used before the main verb | Used to join two parts or show a time limit |
| Example | She still lives here. | He will wait till 6 PM. |
How to Use Still and Till in Sentences
Still is used as an adverb to mean something is happening or true and has not stopped. Use it before the main verb or after the verb “be.” Till is used as a time word, meaning “up to.” It can be used like until in most cases.
Rules for Using Still
Still shows a situation is true up to now and continuing.
Use it before the main verb (except with “be,” where it comes after).
Example: She still writes stories. / He is still at school.
Rules for Using Till
Till means “up to the time when.” It shows end time.
It can be a preposition (before a noun or time) or conjunction (linking two clauses).
Example: Stay here till evening. / Wait till I call you.
Till and until mean the same, but till is more common in spoken English.
Examples of Still and Till
Here are more sentence examples to help you understand:
She is still preparing for the exam. (The action is not finished.)
I will work till midnight. (I will stop after midnight.)
Are you still hungry? (You have not finished eating.)
Wait till the show starts. (Wait up to the beginning of the show.)
Common Mistakes with Still and Till
Students often mix up still and till. Here are some errors to avoid:
✗ She is till working.
✓ She is still working.✗ I will stay here still 5 PM.
✓ I will stay here till 5 PM.✗ He is till here.
✓ He is still here.
Till vs Until: Are They the Same?
Till and until mean the same and are both correct. Until is slightly more formal, but either word can be used in most everyday situations. For example, “Wait till I call you” and “Wait until I call you” both mean the same.
Translation Notes: Still and Till in Indian Languages
In Hindi, still is often “abhi bhi” (अभी भी); till is “tak” (तक). In Tamil, still is “இன்னும்” (innum), and till is “வரை” (varai). Knowing these meanings helps students stop translating literally and use correct English grammar instead.
Practice Exercise: Choose Still or Till
I will wait _____ you finish your homework.
She is _____ sleeping.
Please stay _____ 9 o’clock.
Is the shop _____ open?
Answers: till, still, till, still
Where to Learn More about Grammar Usage
To master similar grammar topics, visit Vedantu’s resources for English grammar. For example, explore the full list on English Grammar, or see related guides like Difference Between Was and Were, Preposition of Time, and Present Perfect Tense for more examples and rules.
In summary, the difference between still and till is all about time and continuation. Still shows something is continuing; till marks the endpoint. Knowing how to use both words helps you avoid mistakes, write better essays, and speak more naturally in English and exams.
FAQs on Difference Between Still and Till in English Grammar
1. What is the difference between "still" and "till" in English?
"Still" and "till" (or "until") are both adverbs and prepositions related to time, but they have distinct meanings. Still indicates that an action or state continues at the present moment. Till/until indicates a duration up to a specific point in time.
2. Can you give examples of sentences with "still" and "till"?
Here are some examples:Still: "She is still working on her project." Till/Until: "I will wait till/until five o'clock." These examples illustrate the difference in usage of still and till showing the continuation of an action and the duration of an action up to a point, respectively.
3. When should I use "till" versus "until"?
"Till" and "until" are interchangeable; however, "until" is generally preferred in formal writing. Both indicate a duration or point of time up to which something happens.
4. Is "till" formal or informal?
"Till" is considered more informal than "until." While both are acceptable, using "until" is often recommended in formal writing, such as essays and academic papers. In spoken English however, till is commonly used.
5. Can "still now" and "till now" be used interchangeably?
No, "still now" and "till now" are not interchangeable. "Still now" implies that something continues at the present moment, whereas "till now" indicates the period up to the present time. Therefore, the phrases convey different meanings and are not substitutable for each other.
6. How do I avoid mistakes when using "still" and "till"?
To avoid mistakes: Carefully consider the intended meaning—is it about continuing action (still) or duration up to a point (till/until)? Practice using both words in sentences to strengthen your understanding and ensure that you appropriately integrate them within the context of your writing.
7. What is the difference between "still" and "till" in Hindi?
The direct translation and usage differences between "still" and "till" in Hindi require nuanced explanation considering the contextual usage of each word. Understanding the English grammatical function is key to accurate translation. Further research into Hindi equivalents and contexts is recommended for accurate understanding.
8. What is the difference between "still" and "till" in Tamil?
Similar to Hindi, the precise translation and usage of "still" and "till" in Tamil depend heavily on context. A direct word-for-word translation may not always accurately reflect the grammatical function in English. Consult Tamil language resources for a complete understanding.
9. What is an example of still and till?
Still: "I am still waiting for the bus." (continuing action) Till: "We worked till midnight." (duration up to a point).
10. What is the difference between "until" and "till"?
"Until" and "till" are functionally equivalent, both meaning 'up to (a point in time)'. "Until" is generally considered more formal.
11. When till is used?
"Till" is used to indicate a point in time up to which an action or state continues. It's often used informally and interchangeably with "until." For example: "I'll wait till tomorrow."
12. How to use still in a sentence?
Use "still" to show that an action or state continues at the present moment. For instance: "It's still raining." or "He's still working on the project."
13. Still now or till now?
"Still now" emphasizes the continuation of an action, while "till now" refers to the duration up to the present. They aren't always interchangeable and their meaning shifts with context. For example, "I am still working" implies the task continues, while "I have worked till now" implies the completion of a task up to the current moment.
