I just about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I just about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is nearly the case or almost happened. Example: "I just about finished the report before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I just about get by financially.

Independent

"I just about broke even.

The Guardian - Money

So I just about managed to scrape into double-figures.

Independent

I just about hit the ceiling when I read that.

The New York Times

"I just about lost it at that point," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

I just about lost my mind.

The New Yorker

I just about held the mother.

The Guardian - Travel

"I just about made the cover of the Liverpool Echo recently.

Independent

"I just about choked on my gin and tonic," Mr. Wilson said.

The New York Times - Science

I had to tell someone, so I just about told everyone.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Is this just about C.E.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I just about" to convey a sense of near-completion or near-occurrence, adding emphasis that the outcome was close.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "I just about" in formal contexts. In academic papers or professional reports, opt for more precise language like "I nearly completed" or "I almost achieved" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I just about" functions as an intensifier combined with a verb, modifying the verb's meaning by indicating that an action or state came very close to happening or being completed. It expresses a near miss or a close call. As Ludwig AI points out, it is generally correct to use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I just about" is a commonly used expression to indicate that something nearly happened or a state was nearly reached. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. While its versatility allows for use in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and even casual conversation, be mindful of its potential overuse in formal academic writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "I almost" or "I nearly" in such settings. The phrase functions primarily to express proximity to an event, adding emphasis and often conveying surprise or relief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I almost

This alternative is more concise and direct, simply stating that something nearly happened.

I nearly

This is a synonym for 'almost', conveying a similar sense of something close to happening.

I practically

This suggests something happened to all intents and purposes, though not quite in reality.

I came close to

This phrase explicitly indicates the nearness of an event or state.

I was on the verge of

This implies being at the very edge of a specific action or state.

I was about to

This indicates an intention and immediacy that something was going to happen.

I all but

This is a more formal way of saying 'almost', emphasizing that only a small thing prevented the action.

It was a close call

This focuses on the narrow margin by which something was avoided or achieved.

I skirted with

This implies narrowly avoiding a negative situation or outcome.

I teetered on the brink of

This suggests a very unstable position, nearly falling into a certain state or action.

FAQs

How can I use "I just about" in a sentence?

You can use "I just about" to describe a situation that almost happened or a task that was nearly completed. For example, "I just about missed the train" or "I just about finished the project".

What can I say instead of "I just about"?

You can use alternatives like "I almost", "I nearly", or "I practically" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "I almost" or "I just about"?

Both "I almost" and "I just about" are acceptable. "I just about" can add a bit more emphasis on how close the outcome was. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "I just about" and "I was about to"?

"I just about" describes something that nearly happened, while "I was about to" indicates an intention to do something that may or may not have been carried out. The former implies a near miss, while the latter implies an interrupted action.