Difference between revisions of "Just"

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(Syntax)
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===Syntax===
 
===Syntax===
''just'' triggers the use of perfective aspect (<span style="font-variant:small-caps;color:#805;">have + -en</span>).  
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''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.  Compare to ''venir de'' in French.
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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.
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In American English the simple past is frequently used instead of the present perfect.  
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===degree modifier====
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exactly.
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''just'' can qualify a preposition in many of the same ways "right" can:
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*The boss always naps ''just after'' lunch.
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*He usually makes weak coffee, but this cup is ''just right''.
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*She smelled the fire ''just in time'' to still be able to put it out.
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*They live ''just over'' the hill there.
  
 
===speech softener===
 
===speech softener===

Revision as of 15:49, 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