Welcome to another edition of What's The Difference? where we explain words that are often confused and misused.
Both just and only are adverbs, but have different functions in different situations. Let's look at...
Just
Just has different meanings.
1: precisely or exactly
Thank you for the coffee - it was just what I needed this morning.
2: recently, a moment ago, not long ago
You're leaving? But, the party has just started.
A: Where's Akiho?
B: She's in the office. She just came in.
3: only or there's a limit on (time, money, etc)
I've just one brother. = I only have one brother.
We just/only need a few hundred dollars to complete the project.
Hurry up. You just/only have ten more minutes before the bus leaves.
Now, on to...
Only
1: Only can be an adjective if it's about something that is one-of-a-kind (unique).
This the only bakery in town that makes Bavarian cream pies.
I have the only copy of Detective Comics #27 that's in perfect condition.
2: Only can be used instead of "but".
We've both got brown hair only mine is much wavier.
I like shopping only on weekends most shops are way too crowded.
When they are adverbs, just and only can be interchanged (see above).
Practice.
Try the exercise below.
(courtesy of EC: Learn English )
Review and expand on this language with James from Engvid.
No comments:
Post a Comment