it only just

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it only just" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has happened very recently or to emphasize the immediacy of an action or event. Example: "I only just finished my homework before dinner was served."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

On the other side of the argument is the fact that about 560 million photos are shared on Facebook Messenger every day, and it only just launched its revamped camera in December, and Day this week.

TechCrunch

Russia hasn't kept up a female presence in orbit, though; it only just last month launched its first female cosmonaut in almost two decades, Elena Serova.

Independent

As such the Pixel 2 may be an incredible phone when it comes to substance, but it only just about convinced buyers to overlook its design in 2016 when Galaxies still had noticeable bezels and iPhones - well - looked little better than Pixels.

Forbes

(It only just recently added Radiohead's In Rainbows to its catalogue.

TechCrunch

It only just suggests it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Why has it only just opened?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's only just recently it's been brought out how secret it was," she said.

BBC

If only it was just a game.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's just only to separate [INAUDIBLE] from [INAUDIBLE].

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It only takes just over an hour from London".

The Guardian - Travel

If only it were just about them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it only just", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "it only just" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "it recently" or "it scarcely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it only just" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, emphasizing the timing or the degree to which an action has occurred. As noted by Ludwig, the examples suggest it highlights the recency or narrowness of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it only just" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression in English. Ludwig examples demonstrate that it serves to emphasize the recency or narrowness of an action or event. While versatile, it is more common in news and media contexts. Ludwig indicates that while perfectly acceptable, writers should be mindful of the context, especially in formal writing where alternative phrases might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it only recently

Focuses specifically on the recent timing of an event or action, similar in emphasis to "it only just".

it has barely

Emphasizes the minimal amount or degree to which something has occurred, similar to "it only just".

it narrowly

Stresses the slightness of a margin or degree, similar to the implied closeness in "it only just".

it almost

Indicates that something came very close to happening, similar to the marginal aspect of "it only just".

it scarcely

Highlights the marginal or insufficient nature of something, akin to "it only just".

it nearly

Highlights that something almost happened, related to the sense of closeness in "it only just".

it has recently

Indicates the recency of an event, mirroring the temporal aspect of "it only just".

it merely

Conveys the limited or basic nature of something, comparable to "it only just".

it virtually

Indicates something close to being true or achieved, akin to the narrowness suggested by "it only just".

it has only begun

Implies the start of something, sharing the sense of newness with "it only just".

FAQs

How can I use "it only just" in a sentence?

Use "it only just" to emphasize the timing or narrow margin of an action or event. For example, "The package "it only just" arrived" indicates the package arrived very recently.

What phrases are similar to "it only just"?

Alternatives to "it only just" include phrases like "it recently", "it barely", or "it narrowly", depending on the context.

Is "it only just" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it only just" may sound less formal than alternatives like "it has recently" or "it scarcely". Consider the tone and audience when choosing the phrase.

What's the difference between "it only just" and "it just"?

"It just" generally indicates that something happened without a specific emphasis on recency or a narrow margin. "It only just" emphasizes either the recent nature or the narrowness of the event's occurrence.