as yet

I think you could say "...are uncertain", but what does "as yet uncertain" mean? I don't think it change the meaning, but it might change the tone of the speaker. Could you tell me what kind of tone it tries to deliver? Is there any difference between "as yet" and "yet" when used in the same place?

It would also require the state to pay the full costs for inmates seeking high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees. The exact costs are as yet uncertain.

In this context, it means
"the exact costs are still uncertain"

Could you tell me what kind of tone it tries to deliver? Is there any difference between "as yet" and "yet" when used in the same place?

It would be incorrect to miss out "as" from the sentence (In BE at least).

difficult cuss said:

It would be incorrect to miss out "as" from the sentence (In BE at least).

You also don't miss out "of" in BE! lol
"as of yet".

(in this specific example and in my personal opinion, I can hear "as yet, the cost are..." as correct, but I would probably assume other BE speakers would also use "of")

Indeed it would be "more normal" (allow it) to include "of" but it does read OK without it.

Yeah that's what I got confused with, I read it and thought "WRONG" then I read it again and didn't see a problem with it and got confused, but yeah I agree, more normal with "of".

"as yet" is quite fine, as is "still," although "still" is a simpler word. They mean the same thing, and either seem fine to my ear.

danielxu85 said:

Is there any difference between "as yet" and "yet" when used in the same place?

It would also require the state to pay the full costs for inmates seeking high school diplomas or high school equivalency degrees. The exact costs are as yet uncertain.

As yet, or as of yet, uncertain means still uncertain as already pointed out. The implication is that people have asked about the issue of exact costs before. If you simply write yet uncertain, it also means still uncertain, but the difference is that no one else has yet 👁 Smile :)
asked about the issue of exact costs. At least that is my understanding.

Orange Blossom

Thanks, Orange Blossom!
In the following sentence, the writer uses "yet". More than
half of the Member States of the United Nations have not yet signed or ratified the 2000 United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
In this case, could I use "as yet"? Are there any difference?

With your most recent example, I don't think so. In this situation, if "as yet" were used there would be a stronger expectation that though the countries haven't signed it at this point, they will eventually. Without the 'as' there is greater uncertainty about whether the other countries will sign the document. At least that is my understanding.

Orange Blossom

Thanks, Orange Blossom!

Am I right that the difference between "as yet" and "yet" is that the former indicates a stronger tone?

Thanks, Alex. Then, why does Orange Blossom tell me that I could not use "as yet" in my latest example? Could you give me some generalized explanations which could guide me to use these two phrases correctly in any case I meet? Let's wait and hear her words of wisdom.

Hmm, missed that one, yep, they're correct,

"Yet" can mean a few things:

1) "Yet you tell me all this information now?" - (yet means "and")
2) "I haven't done it yet" - Nearly, but not quite.
3) Well, I haven't heard anything (as of) yet. (we've already discussed this above)

I was wrong saying they are the same, I apologise, I will delete that post now.

danielxu85 said:

Thanks, Orange Blossom!

Am I right that the difference between "as yet" and "yet" is that the former indicates a stronger tone?

I can't say that one is stronger than the other. My sense is that one conveys a greater degree of doubt about whether whatever it is will be accomplished. There is, of course, the other situation in which the first time someone asks whether something is done "yet" is used, and in subsequent conversations "as (of) yet" is used.

The way I see it, and others may disagree, is that if someone says: I haven't done it yet. I haven't done it; I want to give the impression that I will, but in reality might not do so. (I acknowledge that I've used this phrasing as a stalling tactic and thus got out of whatever it was altogether). In contrast, if I say: I haven't done it as (of) yet. I mean that I haven't done it, but I will definitely do it somewhat later.

I use the same differentiation when expecting things: I haven't heard from B yet. <-- He might call; I hope he calls, but quite likely he won't.

I haven't heard from C. as of yet. <-- I really expect her to call, but at this point in time she hasn't called.

In the case of the treaty signing, I really think (and I could be very wrong in this thinking) that there are countries that won't sign it unless there are some significant changes in the government leadership. Consequently, I wouldn't use "as yet" in this context.

Orange Blossom