Distinguishing Just from Only

Just vs Only

The two words “just” and “only” in English need to be used carefully in order to distinguish their meanings, as there is a clear difference between them. As words, “just” is used as an adjective and an adverb, while “only” is used as an adverb, adjective, and conjunction. “Only” has its origins in Old English, while “just” has its origins in Late Middle English.

What does Just mean?

The word “just” means a moment ago, as in the sentence “Albert just left his home.” This means that Albert left his home a moment ago. In American English, “just” is used to indicate past tense, as in the sentence “He just went out.” In this example, the word “just” is used to indicate past tense, but it refers to the recent past.

What does Only mean?

On the other hand, the word “only” indicates the lone object, thing, or person left out, as in the sentence “Johnson is the only boy in the class who secured distinction in the exams.” In this example, “only” emphasizes that Johnson is the lone boy in the class who achieved distinction in the exams. The word “only” is also used to emphasize a person or a thing, as in the sentences “Only Francis in the group knows the truth” and “Winston is the only boy in the class who is taller than Francis.” If the word “only” is used at the end of a sentence, it gives an extra meaning, as in the sentence “Out of all the questions, he answered a few only.”

Key Takeaways

• The word “just” means a moment ago, while “only” indicates the lone object, thing, or person left out.
• “Just” is sometimes used to indicate past tense, specifically for actions that happened in the recent past.
• “Only” is used to emphasize a person or a thing, and can also give an extra meaning when used at the end of a sentence.