Confusing Words

Just vs. Only

Hi guys! I'm sure that you have ever heard these words, which sometimes have the same meaning.

 

Do you know how to use them❓In which cases do they have the same meaning❓ If you don't know the answers, read the following ❷ conversations and try to guess. Good luck 🍀❗

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Roger: Have you sent the email with the report attached to the boss❓

Frank: I've just sent it.

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Karl: The concert was amazing❗ I can believe that you missed it.

Bart: If only I hadn't spent too much 💰.

Did you guess the difference between these words❓ Did you realise when one of these words is used to mean the other word❓  Well; if you are 😕, don´t 😟 don´t 😢. Let´s see their uses😉.

Just

Usually used to mean 'recently'.

      I've just sent it.

        ↳ have + just + past participle
This adverb can also mean simply.

      It’s nothing serious – just a small cut.

                                            ↳ just
      It was only a joke.
                     ↳ only
Another use of just is to replace the word  'exactly'.
      A cup of coffee is just what I need right now.
                                     ↳ just
      Don't worry. It’s just on three o’clock.
                                   ↳ just
We can use just when you reffer about a unique person or thing.

      I has got just a brother.

                        ↳ just
Used when politely asking something or telling someone to do something
     Could you just explain to me how to use the photocopier? 

                         ↳ just
Also, just is used to regret about something.

      If I hadn't just spent too much money.

          ↳ If + subject + had (not) + just + past participle

Only

Only, as an adjective, is used to say that exist one of a kind.

      I have got only a brother.

                    ↳ only

This word is often used for showing that something or someone is the best.

      Practice is the only way to get better at something.

                                 ↳ only
Only is also used for saying that people or things you are mentioning, are nothing more than themselves.

      It’s nothing serious – only a small cut.

                                            ↳ only 
      It was only a joke.

                     ↳ only
Additionally, only means nothing or no one except a particular person or thing.
      This area is for staff only.
                                          ↳ only
When it is used as a conjunction like but, except that, to give the reason why something is not possible.

     I'd love to go to the party only I have an exam tomorrow.

                                                  ↳ only

We can use 'If only' to talk about things that we personally regret doing or not doing in the past.

      If only I hadn't spent too much money.

            ↳ If only + subject + had (not) + past participle
*Only and Just have the same meaning in some cases.

      I has got just a brother.     ↔️     I have got only a brother. 
      If I hadn't just spent too much money.    ↔️     If only I hadn't spent too much money.

Remember❗

When you regret about something, you can say 'If I had just...' or 'If only I...'.

In order to refer about one of a kind; you say 'there is only...' or 'there is just...'.

In case you want to say that you have recently done something, you can replace just for recently.

Use only to say that (in your opinion) somebody or something is the best (to do something).
Other use of only is to say nothing or no one except a particular person or thing.
Conjunctions like but and except that can be replaced for only.

I hope that everyone can understand this lesson. Tell me in the 💬 if you enjoy it.

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