Hey there! This is TOP episode 265. JUST – All You Need To Know
Are you tired of lacking confidence when speaking English? Does it block you from achieving your true goals? This podcast is the place for you. This is Teacher Ola Podcast. My name’s Ola Mierniczak and I empower English learners to become confident speakers. The key to fluency is in your pocket. You’ll boost your vocabulary, brush up your grammar and improve your pronunciation. Enjoy your journey to fluency!
Hey there! Thank you so much for showing up. Today we’re tackling the topic that is more important than you think. I know you want to speak English fluently but the mistake I see some people make is focusing on a vast number of words. I like new words! I’m always making notes while watching films. The thing is, you should go deep with those simple let’s say words. Words like the word we’re lookin at today, ‘JUST’. Just is used every day, millions of times I’m sure, but I’m not so sure if you know all the beautiful meanings of the word. I want you to know your basic vocabulary really well and I want you to use it with fearless confidence.
Let’s begin with the meaning of the word. Or maybe I should have said: meanings. I’ve got 8 for you. Let’s go!!
One. ‘Just’ means ‘very recently’, for example: The train has just arrived”.
Two. Right now or soon, for instance: We’re just leaving.
Three. ‘Just’ means ‘exactly’. It’s just what I thought.
Four. ‘Equally’, like in this sentence: This restaurant is just as expensive as the other one.
Five. ‘Just’ means ‘only’. Have a listen: By the end of the lecture there were just three people in the room.
Six. ‘Just’ means ‘barely’, ‘almost not’. For instance: He just made it to the meeting on time.
Seven. Oftentimes we use ‘just’ to add emphasis and it means ‘so’, for example: ‘The sunset was just amazing’.
Eight. To reduce emphasis – can you believe that? The opposite of what we’ve just learned! Ain’t that fascinating that the same words can work in two opposite ways? It can add emphasis: ‘just amazing’ but it can also reduce emphasis, so that the word ‘just’ means ‘simply’. I was just wondering if you were free tonight.
Eight meanings of one basic, simple, well-known word ‘JUST’. See? I believe you learn too much vocabulary. If you don’t feel fluent with your English this might be the reason. Think about it. Look at that list! Look at how useful simple words are if you know them well. How helpful they can be in your daily conversations. Don’t underestimate simple words because they make up everyday communication. Not C1 words. No. A2 words, but you’ve got to know them well. Don’t underestimate simple words. Respect them. Appreciate them. Learn them. Go deep.
Ok. Time for grammar. Proper grammar lesson. Here goes. There are three grammar points to discuss.
Number one. I’ve just seen Adam. Present perfect tense. Use ‘just’ with present perfect to talk about something that happened very recently.
Number two. I’m just going to or I’m just about to. Let me give you two examples:
I was just going to tell you the same thing!
The train was just about to leave when I got on the platform.
See? We use ‘just’ in such sentences to talk about something happening in the immediate future. It can be in the past simple tense, but still, ‘just’ is describing the immediate future. Listen again:
The train was just about to leave.
I was just going to tell you something.
Or in present tense:
I’m just about to leave.
Number three. Just as nice as. Nice can be replaced by any adjective or adverb. For instance:
She’s just as nice as her sister.
The train is just as fast as the bus.
We use ‘just’ here to say that two things are equally the same.
Beautiful! Meaning, grammar behind us. Time for two more things. Common collocations and set phrases. Very useful, highly practical things! Stay with me. Let’s go on.
‘Just’ frequently shows up with words like: about, after, before, as, because, enough, like, then and yet. Let’s see some examples:
The report is just about ready: I need another hour or two.
The client showed up just as she was leaving.
He proposed just before he turned 40.
Just because I’m 14, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid!
There’s just enough food for everybody.
It’s just like you not to show up on time.
It was just then that I realised I’d forgotten my phone.
I’m not finished just yet.
Ok! Time for the last part of today’s lesson. Set phrases. In other words: fixed expressions. Expressions you hear very often and I want you to start using them with proper confidence! I’ve got four. Let’s do it, shall we?
One. Just in time. That means ‘with no time to spare’. For example:
I arrived just in time for the start of the film.
Two. Just a minute/just a second/just a moment.
Use it to tell somebody to wait for a short time. Listen:
- Is Ana here?
- Just a minute. I’ll get her.
Three. Just like that. Use it to emphasise that something happens very easily. She signed up for that course and got her certificate, just like that!
Four. I’m just looking. Use it to say that you don’t need any assistance in a shop.
Oh my! What a rich lesson this episode has turned out to be! Great! I’m happy and I hope you learned a lot. I hope you realised today that all those simple words have a lot more to offer. Now, let’s practise. Listen and repeat out loud. And stay with me till the end. These are 10 sentences I want you to repeat.
We’re just leaving.
It’s just what I thought.
The sunset was just amazing.
I’m just about to leave.
The train is just as fast as the bus.
It’s just like you not to show up on time.
I’m not finished just yet.
I arrived just in time for the start of the film.
Just a minute.
I’m just looking.
Amazing! Don’t forget to download your free worksheet that will helpyou to actively practise what you’ve learnt today! Go to teacherola.com/265 and grab your copy. If you’ve subscribed to my newsletter check your inbox.
I love you , I believe in you, I know you can speak English with fluency IF you really want it! Stay fearless, take care and say it out loud! I’m your teacher, Teacher Ola, and you were listening to Teacher Ola Podcast. Bye for now.