6 Ways to Use ‘Just’ in English — Without Sounding Rude or Weak
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Release Date: 02/04/2026
6 Ways to Use ‘Just’ in English — Without Sounding Rude or Weak
The Speak Confident English Podcast
Learn to use just in English correctly, because it changes meaning and tone. In this Confident English lesson, you’ll learn the real just meaning in 6 common situations—so you can sound natural in conversation and clear in emails at work. You hear “just” everywhere: “I just finished the report,” “I just need five minutes.” “That’s just perfect.” But the meaning of just depends on context. In this episode, you’ll learn: how to use just for time (just recently) just in time and just missed (close calls) just vs only (limits and expectations) how to soften...
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info_outlineLearn to use just in English correctly, because it changes meaning and tone. In this Confident English lesson, you’ll learn the real just meaning in 6 common situations—so you can sound natural in conversation and clear in emails at work.
You hear “just” everywhere:
- “I just finished the report,”
- “I just need five minutes.”
- “That’s just perfect.”
But the meaning of just depends on context.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
-
how to use just for time (just recently)
-
just in time and just missed (close calls)
-
just vs only (limits and expectations)
-
how to soften requests in polite English (especially email English)
-
how hedging language can affect tone in professional English and workplace English
-
how “just” can add emphasis in conversational English
Perfect if you want practical English vocabulary you can use right away.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 What makes 'just' tricky
01:40 The foundation
03:27 #1 for time
05:15 #2 for close calls
07:26 #3 for 'only this'
11:14 #4 for perfect fits
12:53 #5 for soft requests
14:53 #6 for strong feelings
16:23 Next steps
Want to learn with me?
My next Fluency School program is coming soon. Get all the details here: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/fluencyschool/
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