ない/ていない/まだ/もう

I know the difference between ない and ていない, but the others aren’t that clear to me. So making this as a reference.

❌ The Negatives (Not eating)

Notes: ない is for making this personal decision to not eat, I don’t feel like it, I don’t want to kinda vibe. ていない is more of expressing the state of whether one ate or not.

• 食べない I won’t eat / I’m not eating.
• Vibe: I’m choosing not to eat.
• 食べていない I haven’t eaten (yet).
• Vibe: I want to eat, but haven’t yet.
• まだ食べない I’m not eating yet.
• Vibe: I don’t feel like eating right now.
• まだ食べていない I haven’t eaten yet.
• Vibe: “I haven’t eaten, but probably going to soon.”
• もう食べない I’m not eating anymore.
• Vibe: I’m full / I don’t want to eat anymore.
• もう食べていない I’m no longer eating.
• Vibe: I’m full / I’ve stopped the action of eating.

✅ The Positives (Eating)

Notes: もう食べる is the most confusing one for me. I’m thinking it’s just like an emphasis of I AM going to eat. (“on my way” type of emphasis?)

• まだ食べる I’m still going to eat.
• Vibe: I want more or I’m not finished with my plans to eat.
• まだ食べている I’m still eating.
• Vibe: I’m in the middle of my meal!
• もう食べる I’m about to eat.
• Vibe: Haven’t started yet, but I’m literally sitting down to do it.
• もう食べている I’m already eating.
• Vibe: I’ve already started.