Just and Only
2020-05-09
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1This week we answer a question we received from Nurfidhea in Indonesia.
2"What is the difference between "just" and "only?" How and when should I use them? Thank you" - Nurfidhea, Makassar, Indonesia
3Dear Nurfidhea,
4Thank you for writing to us.
5This is an interesting set of words because when used as adverbs, they seem to mean the same thing.
6Here are some examples:
7There is just enough time to listen to one more song or
8There is only enough time to listen to one more song.
9She was just a baby when she came to America or
10She was only a baby when she came to America.
11I have just one brother or
12I have only one brother.
13But that is not always true.
14We will look at the times when you must choose one and not the other.
15"Just" can mean "merely," "barely" or "exactly."
16It is also used to describe a time in the recent past, or a simple truth.
17Here are some examples where you can use "just" while "only" would be incorrect.
18I just made tea. Would you like a cup?
19Here "just" means recently. When you want to say "recently" you should always use "just."
20She lives just north of the city center.
21Here it means barely.
22He just does not have enough talent to sing in the opera.
23Here it is a simple truth.
24The adverb "only" comes from the word "one" and means "alone," or "with no others."
25A good way to think of this word is that it describes a unique, or singular, situation.
26Here are some sentences where you can only use the word "only."
27The gym is only for women.
28We will go home only if it starts to rain.
29I love only you.
30A good way to remember the difference is to use "only" for a special or single thing, and "just" for exact ideas and recent events.
31I hope this is just the answer you sought!
32And now, I have only one request.
33Please send your questions about English to us by email: learningenglish@voanews.com.
34And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
35I'm Jill Robbins.
1This week we answer a question we received from Nurfidhea in Indonesia. 2Question: 3"What is the difference between "just" and "only?" How and when should I use them? Thank you" - Nurfidhea, Makassar, Indonesia 4Answer: 5Dear Nurfidhea, 6Thank you for writing to us. This is an interesting set of words because when used as adverbs, they seem to mean the same thing. Here are some examples: 7There is just enough time to listen to one more song or 8There is only enough time to listen to one more song. 9She was just a baby when she came to America or 10She was only a baby when she came to America. 11I have just one brother or 12I have only one brother. 13But that is not always true. We will look at the times when you must choose one and not the other. 14Just 15"Just" can mean "merely," "barely" or "exactly." It is also used to describe a time in the recent past, or a simple truth. Here are some examples where you can use "just" while "only" would be incorrect. 16I just made tea. Would you like a cup? 17Here "just" means recently. When you want to say "recently" you should always use "just." 18She lives just north of the city center. 19Here it means barely. 20He just does not have enough talent to sing in the opera. 21Here it is a simple truth. 22Only 23The adverb "only" comes from the word "one" and means "alone," or "with no others." A good way to think of this word is that it describes a unique, or singular, situation. Here are some sentences where you can only use the word "only." 24The gym is only for women. 25We will go home only if it starts to rain. 26I love only you. 27Just a tip 28A good way to remember the difference is to use "only" for a special or single thing, and "just" for exact ideas and recent events. I hope this is just the answer you sought! 29And now, I have only one request. Please send your questions about English to us by email: learningenglish@voanews.com. 30And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. 31I'm Jill Robbins. 32Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 33__________________________________________________________________ 34Words in This Story 35adverb - n. a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree 36opera - n. a kind of performance in which actors sing all or most of the words of a play with music performed by an orchestra 37unique - adj. used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else 38Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.