encore / toujours

Still: Encore Versus Toujours

Level 2

Both encore and toujours can mean "still," but they differ in nuance. Toujours is the neutral default for continuity, while encore often implies that something is lasting longer than expected.

How It Works

In French, the distinction between these two adverbs is subtle but important for sounding natural:

  • Toujours (Continuity): This is the most common way to say "still." It suggests a state has not changed and is expected to continue. It also means "always."
    Ex: J'habite toujours à Lyon. (I still live in Lyon — a neutral fact).
  • Encore (Persistence/Surprise): Use this when you want to emphasize that something is continuing longer than it should or despite expectations. It also means "again" or "more."
    Ex: Tu dors encore ? (Are you still sleeping? — implies surprise that you aren't awake yet).

Key Differences in Usage:
1. Comparatives: Only encore can be used with comparatives to mean "even." (e.g., encore plus grand - even taller).
2. Negation: Pas encore means "not yet" (neutral), while toujours pas means "still not" (expressing frustration or impatience).
3. Placement: In compound tenses, both usually sit between the auxiliary and the past participle.

Examples (5)

  1. Il est toujours à la maison.

    He is still at home.

    Word by Word: He is always/still at the house.

    Using 'toujours' here is neutral; it simply states that his location hasn't changed.

  2. Il est encore à la maison ?

    Is he still at home?

    Word by Word: He is still/again at the house?

    Using 'encore' suggests the speaker is surprised he hasn't left yet.

  3. Je n'ai pas encore fini mes devoirs.

    I haven't finished my homework yet.

    Word by Word: I not have not yet finished my homeworks.

    'Pas encore' is the standard way to say 'not yet'.

  4. Je n'ai toujours pas fini mes devoirs !

    I still haven't finished my homework!

    Word by Word: I not have still not finished my homeworks!

    'Toujours pas' emphasizes frustration that the task is taking so long.

  5. C'est encore plus difficile que je pensais.

    It's even more difficult than I thought.

    Word by Word: It is still more difficult than I thought.

    In comparisons, 'encore' translates to 'even'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'encore' to mean 'always'.

    Different MeaningIl est encore gentil avec moi.
    Il est toujours gentil avec moi.

    'Il est encore gentil avec moi' is correct, but it means 'He is still kind to me'. To say 'He is always kind to me', use 'toujours'.

  • Using 'pas toujours' to mean 'still not'.

    Different MeaningJe ne suis pas toujours prêt.
    Je ne suis toujours pas prêt.

    'Je ne suis pas toujours prêt' is correct, but it means 'I am not always ready'. To say 'I am still not ready', use 'toujours pas': 'Je ne suis toujours pas prêt'.

Words in This Pattern

toujours