Recently I’ve become aware of a word that is being used just a little too much.  It’s not a bad word, it’s not unpleasant or obtrusive, it’s just a little word that waters down the English language.  The word is “just”.

According to Merriam-Webster, there are three definitions of just: a noun, adjective, and adverb.  Here is the definition of “just” the adverb:

1. (a) exactly, precisely; (b) very recently
2. (a) barely; (b) immediately, directly
3. (a) only, simply; (b) quite, very
4. perhaps, possibly

Part three of this definition is where we get into trouble.  Notice how definition 3a and 3b are contradictory:  “simply” vs. “quite”, and “only” vs. “very”.  These are nearly opposite definitions of the same word.  No wonder “just” is so problematic!


If a word has two opposing meanings, does it mean anything at all?  In the case of “just”, and in the following examples, I think not:

(a) “I just don’t feel like going for a walk right now”
(b) “I don’t feel like going for a walk right now”

(a) “I just think it would be better if he slept in the guest room”
(b) “I think it would be better if he slept in the guest room”

(a) “Just grateful for anything”
(b) “Grateful for anything”

As you can see, these sentences literally mean the exact same thing with or without the word “just”.  There is, however, a difference between the sentences that use “just” and those that don’t: they’re weaker.

Let’s take a closer look at each example, and dig a little deeper.

“I just don’t feel like going for a walk right now” vs. “I don’t feel like going for a walk right now”

By using “just”, the speaker is saying: “I don’t want to disappoint you, so I’m going to minimize the importance of my feelings with the word “just”.  I’m not very important, my feelings aren’t very important, so won’t you feel sorry for me and not pester me about going for a walk?”

“I just think it would be better if he slept in the guest room” vs. “I think it would be better if he slept in the guest room”

The speaker is aware that the guest room decision won’t be pleasing to the listener, so they make an effort to water it down by adding “just”. The decision sounds less significant in sentence b.  But the decision’s significance cannot be diminished by language, so this is a confusion tactic more than anything—an effort to make the listener question the importance they themselves are placing on the decision.

“Just grateful for anything” vs. “Grateful for anything”

This was printed on a cardboard sign in a guitar case in front of a street urchin.  Doesn’t the first sentence sound more pathetic?  The street urchin is aware that adding “just” makes him seem less significant, and therefore more worthy of a handout.

“Just” is a way to say something without committing fully.  If you have something to say, but you’re worried that somebody might disagree, slip in a “just”.

If you have an opinion, but you’re not comfortable stating it on your own, say “just”—people will think maybe it belongs to somebody else.

If you wish to generally diminish yourself, use “just” before stating your feelings.

“Just” distracts, dilutes, and confuses.  In a society where our primary concern is how we are perceived by others, “just” is a way to blend in, it’s a way to be unoffensive, agreeable, passive, and safe.  In the face of imagined judgement, “just” is an imaginary security blanket.

I say the word alot, and now that it’s been brought to my attention, I’m trying to weed it out. Not an easy task! Just the other morning, before I began writing this, a guy working at the bakery asked me what I had planned for the day:

“I’m going to try and get some writing done”, I said.

“What are you writing about?” he asked.

“I’m gonna write about the word “just”, and how people use it way too much.

He smiled and said “Just because…”, and I laughed.

He poured some more hot water over the coffee filter, “How many pages are you going to write?” he asked.

“Just as many as…” I began, then stopped myself, looked at the guy with a sheepish grin and we both laughed.  “As many as it takes” I said.

Now is a good time to cast the “just” security blanket aside, to say what you want to say regardless of the ramifications, to unleash the full power of your words and to express yourself as truly as possible.  Society is starved for truth.  Let’s not deprive it of the juicy morsels of our everyday thoughts and feelings.