Difference between revisions of "Just"
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===Syntax=== | ===Syntax=== | ||
| − | ''just'' triggers the use of perfective aspect (<span style="font-variant:small-caps;color:#805;">have + -en</span>). | + | ''just'' triggers the use of perfective aspect (<span style="font-variant:small-caps;color:#805;">have + -en</span>) when it marks a recently accomplished prior action. |
*I had just finished eating when the doorbell rang. | *I had just finished eating when the doorbell rang. | ||
*I've just left work. I should be back home in an hour. | *I've just left work. I should be back home in an hour. | ||
| − | In both the UK & the US the past perfect is used with ''just'' to mark a recently accomplished prior action. | + | In both the UK & the US the past perfect is used with ''just'' to mark a recently accomplished prior past action. |
| − | In American English the simple past is frequently used instead of the present perfect. | + | In American English the simple past is frequently used instead of the present perfect. |
| + | |||
| + | ===degree modifier==== | ||
| + | exactly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''just'' can qualify a preposition in many of the same ways "right" can: | ||
| + | |||
| + | *The boss always naps ''just after'' lunch. | ||
| + | *He usually makes weak coffee, but this cup is ''just right''. | ||
| + | *She smelled the fire ''just in time'' to still be able to put it out. | ||
| + | *They live ''just over'' the hill there. | ||
===speech softener=== | ===speech softener=== | ||
Revision as of 16:49, 2 May 2020
Adverb
only, simply
Syntax
just triggers the use of perfective aspect (have + -en) when it marks a recently accomplished prior action.
- I had just finished eating when the doorbell rang.
- I've just left work. I should be back home in an hour.
In both the UK & the US the past perfect is used with just to mark a recently accomplished prior past action.
In American English the simple past is frequently used instead of the present perfect.
degree modifier=
exactly.
just can qualify a preposition in many of the same ways "right" can:
- The boss always naps just after lunch.
- He usually makes weak coffee, but this cup is just right.
- She smelled the fire just in time to still be able to put it out.
- They live just over the hill there.
speech softener
Adding "just" is very frequently when making a suggestion, when criticizing, when explaining one's reasoning...
- I'm just wondering if we should even continue producing these books, we keep losing money on them.
- just saying (je dis ça, je dis rien)
- I just wanted to say thank you!
- I just thought it wasn't a big deal. I didn't realize it was so important.
Adjective
fair, equitable
