Using 'Just' and 'Only'
2024-03-16
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Mohammad.
2What is the difference between just and only?
3Thank you for writing, Mohammad.
4This is a good question.
5In an earlier Ask a Teacher, we explained how the two words, "just" and "only," seem to mean the same thing. For example:
6She was just a baby when she came to America.
7Or
8She was only a baby when she came to America.
9In that article, we also explained how the two words have different meanings and when you should use one and not the other.
10The difference in usage is so small that you might not even notice at first. But it is very important.
11So, let's look at more ways to use the two words today.
12Usage is the way in which a word or phrase is normally used.
13The word "only" can be used in an undesirable situation.
14For example:
15He only finished half his homework.
16Only two banks stay open after 4 p.m.
17You're only coming on Saturday? I wish you could come earlier.
18Its usage is also common when we are not happy about something:
19It's only right that they get the same pay for the same work.
20The noise is fine, only if it does not hurt my ear.
21However, we use the word "just" when we want to make an emphasis, or a stronger statement.
22Let's compare the last two examples with these:
23It's just not right that he gets more pay for the same work.
24The noise hurts my ear. Just be quiet, please!
25In spoken English, believe it or not, we also use "just" when we want to make something smaller or less important.
26For example, when someone thinks the distance is too far, we might say:
27Your friend lives just down the road.
28If they do not have a lot of time, we might ask:
29Can you wait just a minute?
30And when someone appears to be busy, we might say:
31Could I just ask you something?
32I was just wondering, can we meet tomorrow?
33Please let us know if this explanation has helped you, Mohammad.
34Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com.
35And that's Ask a Teacher.
36I'm Gena Bennett.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Mohammad. 2Question 3What is the difference between just and only? 4Answer 5Thank you for writing, Mohammad. This is a good question. 6In an earlier Ask a Teacher, we explained how the two words, "just" and "only," seem to mean the same thing. For example: 7She was just a baby when she came to America. 8Or 9She was only a baby when she came to America. 10In that article, we also explained how the two words have different meanings and when you should use one and not the other. The difference in usage is so small that you might not even notice at first. But it is very important. 11So, let's look at more ways to use the two words today. 12Usage 13Usage is the way in which a word or phrase is normally used. 14The word "only" can be used in an undesirable situation. For example: 15He only finished half his homework. 16Only two banks stay open after 4 p.m. 17You're only coming on Saturday? I wish you could come earlier. 18Its usage is also common when we are not happy about something: 19It's only right that they get the same pay for the same work. 20The noise is fine, only if it does not hurt my ear. 21However, we use the word "just" when we want to make an emphasis, or a stronger statement. Let's compare the last two examples with these: 22It's just not right that he gets more pay for the same work. 23The noise hurts my ear. Just be quiet, please! 24In spoken English, believe it or not, we also use "just" when we want to make something smaller or less important. 25For example, when someone thinks the distance is too far, we might say: 26Your friend lives just down the road. 27If they do not have a lot of time, we might ask: 28Can you wait just a minute? 29And when someone appears to be busy, we might say: 30Could I just ask you something? 31I was just wondering, can we meet tomorrow? 32Please let us know if this explanation has helped you, Mohammad. 33Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com. 34And that's Ask a Teacher. 35I'm Gena Bennett. 36Gena Bennett wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 37_______________________________________________ 38Words in This Story 39emphasis-n. special importance, value, or attention