The subject of this post is JUST, a four-letter word that sneaks into sentences without invitation. Learn when to let it stay … and when to hit DELETE!
JUST draws out sentences, whether to soften them or add emphasis. While JUST has its place, especially in dialogue, be wary: once it slips in, it strives to subvert as many carefully wrought sentences as possible. If you suffer from a JUST affliction, rest assured you’re in good company. When it happens to me, do I shrug and let JUST run amok? No! And neither should you! I fought back by becoming a JUST DETECTIVE, and I’m going to train all of you to become one, too.
** JUST DETECTIVE TRAINING**
PART ONE
The following sentences are written with and without JUST. Imagine the JUST-infected versions occurring one after the other in your manuscript. If you don’t catch the overuse of JUST, I guarantee your readers will.
**YOUR TASK**
Allow JUST to remain in one sentence only. I trust you’ll see how removing the four-letter word makes sentences more direct.
1.) Just remember to sign your name.
Remember to sign your name.
2.) Do you just want to mull it over before making a final decision?
Do you want to mull it over before making a final decision?
3.) Will you just quiet down?
Will you quiet down?
4.) I just can’t figure out the answer to that question.
I can’t figure out the answer to that question!
5.) John just drives me crazy when he blasts his music.
John drives me crazy when he blasts his music.
6.) I just can’t listen to any more of your excuses!
I can’t listen to any more of your excuses!
Here’s my vote, whether JUST shows up five times on a single page or once every 5,000 words: delete JUST in examples #1-#5 but let it remain in #6. This is the emotional scene that plays out in my imagination:
“I just can’t listen to any more of your excuses!” Marigold screams amidst a growing mound of soggy tissues. “Missing my birthday dinner is the final straw! Get out before I throw you out!”
What scene do you imagine using the sentence you chose? You’ll receive a gold star if you share it in the comments section!
Congratulations for completing Part One of your JUST DETECTIVE test. That wasn’t too bad, was it?
** JUST DETECTIVE TRAINING**
PART TWO
There are two cases where JUST use is grammatically acceptable. To help illustrate them, I offer two sentences for each.
***CASE #1: When an action was recently completed. ***
1.) The floor was just waxed. Don’t step on it yet!
2.) Spring term just kicked off at my son’s college.
***CASE #2: When a character wants to indicate they’re almost ready.***
1.) I just need to turn off all the lights. I’ll text when I’m ready to walk.
2.) I just need ten more seconds. Please don’t leave without me!
**YOUR TASK**
Here is my question for you to ponder: when grammatically appropriate, is JUST your only choice?
I hope you said an emphatic NO! Whenever your detective work reveals you’re relying on JUST too much, challenge yourself to rewrite your sentences. To prove this point, here are the above sentences with JUST-FREE alternatives written underneath.
1.) The floor was just waxed. Don’t step on it yet!
The floor is freshly waxed! Be careful or you’ll slip.
2.) Spring term just kicked off at my son’s college.
I wish Eric a wonderful spring term at college. I can’t believe his sophomore year is half over!
3.) I just need to turn off all the lights. I’ll text when I’m ready to walk.
I need a few minutes. I’ll text when I’m ready to walk.
4.) I just need ten more seconds. Please don’t leave without me!
I’m almost ready! Please don’t leave without me.
Congratulations! You are now a certified JUST DETECTIVE. If you need help rooting out JUST in your manuscripts, here’s a tip using Microsoft Word: click Find under the Edit menu and type in JUST (lower case and without caps.) Word will highlight everywhere it occurs, which allows you to evaluate whether to keep, delete, or completely rewrite each sentence containing a highlight. If you remember to do a JUST CHECK before you submit, your characters, critique partners, editors, agents, readers, and listeners will thank you!
Before I sign off, I leave you with this side note: When we tell ourselves to JUST DO IT (cue the Nike ad for inspiration), it’s a shot in the arm (or butt) to stop procrastinating and get moving. But telling others is akin to saying with gritted teeth, “My patience is wearing thin. Do it NOW before I totally lose it!” If you want to instigate verbal or physical sparring between family members, friends, colleagues, or fictional characters, go ahead and borrow this phrase.
That’s a wrap! Stay tuned for a discussion about EVEN, the 2nd post in my Sneaky Words Series. You don’t have long to wait, as it will air on Writers’ Rumpus next Tuesday!
WRITERS' RUMPUS 
I’m sad to admit I suffer from JUST affliction. This post was just what I needed. Oops! Exactly what I needed!
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Dear Sharon,
Rest assured, you’re in good company! Recognizing overuse of just brings you 90% of the way toward replacing it with more compelling dialogue.
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So helpful! Thank you.
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Dear Lisa,
Yay! I’m really glad you found this helpful.
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Great post! JUST what my MS needed!
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Dear Kelly,
I’m so glad!! Good luck!!😊
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But… “just” is a realistic word choice for a middle school child in MG books. What about that use for us KidLit writers? Beth Schmelzer
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Dear Beth,
There is nothing wrong with sprinkling in just, especially in MG! My purpose in writing this post is to make writers beware of using it too much.
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