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just

Meanings​

Just has several meanings.

Time​

Just often emphasises the idea of ‘at this moment’ or ‘close to the present’.

  • I’ll be down in a minute – I’m just changing my shirt. (= right now)
  • Alice has just phoned. (= a short time ago)
  • Sam’s still around. I saw him just last week. (= as recently as)

In expressions like just after, just before and just when, just suggests closeness to the time in question.

  • I saw him just after lunch. (= … very soon after lunch.)

‘only’, ‘scarcely’​

Just can mean ‘only’, ‘nothing more than’, ‘scarcely’.

  • Complete set of garden tools for just £15.99!
  • I just want somebody to love me – that’s all.
  • We just caught the train.

This meaning can be emphasised by only.

  • There was only just enough light to read by.

Can/Could I just …? can make a request seem less demanding.

  • Could I just use your phone for a moment?

‘exactly’​

Just often means ‘exactly’.

  • ‘What’s the time?’ ‘It’s just four o’clock.’
  • Thanks. That’s just what I wanted.
  • She’s just as bad-tempered as her father.

Emphasiser​

Just can emphasise other words and expressions, with the sense of ‘simply’, ‘there’s no other word for it’.

  • You’re just beautiful.
  • I just love your dress.

Tenses​

When just means ‘a moment ago’, past and present perfect tenses are both possible in British English. A present perfect is preferred when we are giving news. Compare:

  • I’ve just had a brilliant idea.
  • Jack(’s) just called. His wife’s had a baby. (The news is the baby, not the phone call.)

In American English a past tense is also very common.

  • ‘Where’s Sam?’ ‘He just went out.’
  • Alice (has) just left.
  • I just had a brilliant idea.

just now​

Just now can mean either ‘at this moment’ or ‘a few moments ago’. Compare:

  • She’s not in just now. Can I take a message?
  • I saw Jake just now. He wanted to talk to you.

When just now means ‘a few moments ago’, two positions are possible:

  1. in end-position, usually with a past tense.

    • I telephoned Anna just now.

  2. in mid-position (see here) with the verb, with a present perfect or past tense.

    • I(’ve) just now realised what I need to do.