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Just vs. Only

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Common mistakes

  1. (NG) Can you only wait a moment? I’ll be right there.
    1. (OK) Can you just wait a moment? I’ll be right there.
  2. (NG) Just I got here yesterday.
    1. (OK) I just got here yesterday.

Grammar words and phrases in context

I have had the same old laptop computer for 6 years. It’s the only computer I have. I like it, but there is just one problem. It’s a little heavy. So I think it’s time to shop for another one. I just went online to look and I’m really surprised because for only a few hundred dollars, you can get a pretty decent laptop.

We can use both just and only to mean no more than. In cases like this, just and only should come before the verb or a noun.

  1. I just need 20 minutes more to finish this report. (or)
  2. I only need 20 minutes more to finish this report.
  3. That pen costs just a dollar? I’ll take two, please! (or)
  4. That pen costs only a dollar? I’ll take two, please!

So in situations like this, just and only have exactly the same meaning and usage.

We can also use just to mean a little while ago or in the immediate past. The grammar is just followed by a past verb. Note that we do not use only in this way.

  1. I just woke up, so I’m still sleepy. We can’t say, I only woke up.
  2. I just heard about your accident. Are you okay?
  3. I’m not hungry because I just ate lunch.

We can use only as an adjective meaning the single one of its kind. The grammar is only followed by a noun. Note that we do not use just in this way.

  1. This is the only computer I own. We can’t say, This is the just computer I own.
  2. He took my only pen! Now I have to get another one.
  3. Jack is an only child.

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