just
Use “just” as an adverb or as an adjective. It’s similar to the word “only.” It diminishes a situation or an action, but to apply the word properly requires that you have a lot of information about what’s happening.
Here are some examples for ways to use the word "just."
- 1. Lisa just wants to stay home today. (For some reason, she doesn’t want to do anything else.)
- 2. The plane just left. (The plane is in the sky after if lifted off of the ground a few moments ago.)
- 3. This tofu is just $1.69 for a pound! (This is a very good price.)
- 4. I just want to help. (My only motivation is to be of service to someone else.)
- 5. Brian is just kidding about that. (Brian is not being serious. Instead, he’s trying to be funny.)
- 6. Vanessa and Calvin were just 18 years old when they got married. (That’s a very young age at which to get married.)
- 7. You just need to go straight and then take a left. (This is a very easy place to find.)
- 8. Just let me do it! (I’m losing my patience with this situation, so now I want to manage it.)
- 9. John was just 57 years old when he died. (Everyone was surprised that he died because he was so young.)
- 10. Tha restaurant just opened up last week. (This is a new business.)
The word "just" is also used for matters of law.
- 1. The defendant received a just punishment.
- 2. The decision of the court was considered just.
- 3. Everyone is hoping that the outcome of the trial will be just.
- 4. The man got caught up in an unjust legal system and went to jail for a crime that he didn’t commit. (The prefix “un” negates this word.)
- 5. It’s important for justice to be served. (The word “justice” is a noun.)
- 6. People feel the weight of injustice. (The word “injustice) is a noun.)
