it just about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it just about" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misphrasing of "it's just about" or "it’s just about to," which can be used in various contexts to indicate proximity or a near completion of an action. Example: "It's just about time for the meeting to start."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You had it just about totally right".

The New Yorker

France deserved to win it, just about".

The Guardian - Sport

I do it just about trouble-free".

The New York Times

You can drink it just about anywhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

It just about makes sense now, but it won't forever.

The Guardian - Tech

"It just about killed me," Mr. Carisone said.

The New York Times

Luckily for him it just about comes off.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, the exit poll issued in 2010 turned out to have called it just about right.

The Guardian - Opinion

It just about makes them puke, the sight of it the way I get it.

The New Yorker

I think that he got it just about right, but nothing is preserved in aspic.

The Guardian

"It just about cost him his career," Kevin Nash, a former W.W.E.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "almost", "nearly", or "practically" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "it just about" in formal writing. It's often perceived as grammatically weak. Instead, use more precise language such as "it almost" or "it nearly" to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it just about" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to express approximation or near completion. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically questionable and thus, its usage is discouraged in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

15%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it just about" is commonly used, Ludwig AI advises that it's considered grammatically questionable. It attempts to express approximation but is often better replaced by more precise alternatives like "almost" or "nearly", depending on the context. While you might find it in informal settings, it's best to avoid "it just about" in formal writing to maintain clarity and credibility. Given the high percentage in news media, it indicates its use might be influenced by its casual tone, this doesn't mean that's grammatically correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it almost

Replaces "just about" with "almost", indicating a near completion or occurrence.

it nearly

Substitutes "just about" with "nearly", suggesting a close approximation.

it practically

Replaces "just about" with "practically", emphasizing a real or functional equivalence.

it virtually

Substitutes "just about" with "virtually", highlighting a similarity in effect or result.

it effectively

Replaces "just about" with "effectively", stressing the actual impact or consequence.

it essentially

Replaces "just about" with "essentially", pointing out a core or fundamental aspect.

it more or less

Offers a more verbose alternative, conveying a similar sense of approximation.

it approximately

Replaces "just about" with "approximately", giving a numerical estimation.

it closely

Substitutes "just about" with "closely", focusing on the degree of proximity or resemblance.

it resembles

Shifts from modification to direct comparison, highlighting similarities.

FAQs

What does "it just about" mean?

While not strictly grammatically correct, "it just about" is typically used to mean "almost" or "nearly". It indicates that something is very close to happening or being true, although "it almost" or "it nearly" are better options.

Is "it just about" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, the phrase "it just about" is considered "ungrammatical". You should consider using more precise alternatives like "it's just about to" or "it almost".

What are some alternatives to "it just about"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "it just about" with alternatives such as ""it almost"", ""it nearly"", "it practically", or "it's just about to".

When is it appropriate to use "it just about"?

While technically incorrect, "it just about" may be acceptable in very informal conversation. However, it should be avoided in formal writing or professional communication in order to maintain clarity and credibility.