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Giulia Piazzi
What's the difference between "just" and "only"?
Hello!
When should I use "just" and when should I use "only"? I looked for in the dictionary, but I still have many doubts about it when I make sentences in English . Can you help me?
26 apr. 2013 03:08
Antwoorden · 6
3
both 'just' and 'only' have several meanings or uses
1. just = exactly or precisely; no more than; merely; quite; really. it is just the one I want... he is just fast enough to qualify... she is just using a translator
2. only (adjective) = sole: he is the only child
3. only (adverb) = merely solely, no longer ago than, no better than: I can only guess... it was only yesterday... it is only average cooking....
4. only (conjunction) = however, except that, if not: I could give many examples, only it takes too much time
26 april 2013
Just
The word “just” has several possible definitions:
1) Recently
Be careful – I just washed the floor, and it’s still wet.
(= I washed the floor a few minutes ago)
He just finished a big project.
(= he finished the project very recently)
2) Only
I have just one brother. (= I have only one brother)
I thought you were hungry, but you ate just half of your sandwich.
(= you ate only half of your sandwich, and no more)
Only
The word “only” can be replaced with “just” in most situations:
Only two students came to class on the day before Christmas.
= Just two students came to class on the day before Christmas.
My kids only use the internet for schoolwork, not for playing games.
= My kids just use the internet for schoolwork, not for playing games.
In the expression “If only…” you can use “just” if you change the structure a little bit:
If only I had studied harder. I would’ve passed the test.
= If I had just studied harder, I would’ve passed the test.
“Only” and “just” are interchangeable with definition 2 of “just,” but not with definition 1.
Definition 2 – Same meaning
We have just one daughter. = We have only one daughter.
Definition 1 – Different meanings
I just washed the floor (a few minutes ago)
I only washed the floor (and I didn’t wash the table)
However, it also depends on the context:
“Did you clean the whole house?”
“No, I just washed the floor” (= I only washed the floor).
“Why is the floor wet?”
“Because I just washed it”
(= I recently washed it. In this case, you can’t use “only”)
Word order
When you use “just,” the word order matters:
I just ate two pieces of pizza. ( = I recently ate two pieces of pizza)
I ate just two pieces of pizza ( = I ate only two pieces, not 3 or 4 or 5)
28 mei 2013
Vou tentar ajudar em alguns exemplos:
Just, é usado numa forma mais simples para algo que se queira naquele momento
Ex: I'm just want to say, hello again. (Eu só queria dizer, olá novamente)
E only, você pode usar para representar uma única coisa
Ex. He has only one son. (Ele só tem um filho/Ele tem um único filho)
Estou aprendendo ainda, espero ter ajudado.
21 mei 2013
Heb je je antwoorden nog steeds niet gevonden?
Schrijf je vragen op en laat de moedertaalsprekers je helpen!
Giulia Piazzi
Taalvaardigheden
Engels, Italiaans, Portugees
Taal die wordt geleerd
Engels, Italiaans
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