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. 1. Lisa just wants to stay home today. (For some reason, she doesn’t want to do anything else.)
  2. 2. The plane just left. (The plane is in the sky after if lifted off of the ground a few moments ago.)
  3. 3. This tofu is just $1.69 for a pound! (This is a very good price.)
  4. 4. I just want to help. (My only motivation is to be of service to someone else.)
  5. 5. Brian is just kidding about that. (Brian is not being serious. Instead, he’s trying to be funny.)
  6. 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. 7. You just need to go straight and then take a left. (This is a very easy place to find.)
  8. 8. Just let me do it! (I’m losing my patience with this situation, so now I want to manage it.)
  9. 9. John was just 57 years old when he died. (Everyone was surprised that he died because he was so young.)
  10. 10. Tha restaurant just opened up last week. (This is a new business.)

The word "just" is also used for matters of law.

  1. 1. The defendant received a just punishment.
  2. 2. The decision of the court was considered just.
  3. 3. Everyone is hoping that the outcome of the trial will be just.
  4. 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. 5. It’s important for justice to be served. (The word “justice” is a noun.)
  6. 6. People feel the weight of injustice. (The word “injustice) is a noun.)

 

You can click here to go to the English Vocabulary page.