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and yet
/ænd jɛt/
despite this; nevertheless
It was raining heavily, and yet she decided to go for a run.
Despite the heavy rain, she chose to run outside.
formal
used to introduce a contrast or surprising fact following a previous statement
He had no experience in programming, and yet he built a successful app.
Despite lacking experience, he created a successful app.
The data was incomplete, and yet the conclusions were convincing.
Even with incomplete data, the conclusions seemed valid.
Often used in formal writing or speech to emphasize a contradiction or unexpected outcome.
Collocations
and yet somehowused to introduce an unexpected resultand yet stillused to emphasize persistence despite obstacles
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'and yet' in informal writing
In casual contexts, 'but' or 'however' are more natural. Reserve 'and yet' for formal writing or when you want to emphasize a strong contrast.
Gold Rule
Use 'and yet' to highlight unexpected contrasts
This phrase works best when the second clause presents a surprising or counterintuitive result compared to the first. For example: 'The experiment failed, and yet the scientist was optimistic.'
Word Origin
The phrase combines the conjunction 'and' with the adverb 'yet', both Old English in origin. 'And' derives from Old English 'and/ond', while 'yet' comes from Old English 'giet'. The structure has been used in English since at least the 15th century to introduce contrasting ideas.
Usage Notes
This phrase is typically used in written English or formal speech. It is less common in casual conversation, where simpler alternatives like 'but' or 'however' might be preferred. The phrase often appears at the beginning of a clause to highlight a contrast with the preceding statement.
Word Breakdown
and
conjunction connecting two ideas
conjunctionyet
adverb indicating contrast or continuation
adverbEnglish Dictionary