just able

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just able" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has the minimum capability or capacity to do something. Example: "After a long day at work, I was just able to finish my report before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He was just able to put stuff by me.

Independent

They were only just able to scramble on board.

The New York Times

I was just able to get a good shot.

The New York Times

"He was just able to get a hand on it".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm just able to play, not worry about things.

The New York Times - Sports

He was just able to make himself heard.

The New Yorker

I was just able to knock the shots down".

The New York Times - Sports

We were just able to make a couple of plays at the end".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was just able to scoop up the rebound that actually hit me," Drury said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Materially, I was just able to sustain myself and my family.

The New Yorker

"I'm just able in all the circumstances here to suspended the term of imprisonment," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just able" to convey a sense of minimal competence or a situation where someone barely manages to do something. For example, "He was just able to catch the train before it departed."

Common error

Avoid using "just able" when you mean to express a strong ability or confidence in performing an action. "Just able" implies a limited capacity, so use stronger verbs when describing competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just able" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies an adjective or verb, indicating the extent or degree to which someone or something is capable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just able" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a minimal level of capability or success. According to Ludwig AI, it's accurate and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific domains, its neutral register makes it versatile for diverse audiences. When writing, remember that using "just able" implies a limited ability. Consider alternatives like "barely capable" or "scarcely able" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely capable

Emphasizes a minimal level of ability.

scarcely able

Highlights the difficulty in achieving the ability.

only just managed to

Focuses on the act of succeeding by a narrow margin.

hardly able

Suggests that the ability is almost non-existent.

with difficulty able

Emphasizes the struggle involved in being able.

able, but with effort

Highlights that being able requires significant effort.

almost incapable

Indicates a near lack of ability.

by the skin of one's teeth

Idiomatic expression emphasizing a narrow escape or success.

at the last moment able

Focuses on the timing of the ability.

able with limitations

Suggests ability exists, but with restrictions.

FAQs

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

You can use "just able" to indicate a minimal level of capability or success. For instance, "I was "just able" to finish the project on time", meaning you barely managed to complete it.

What phrases are similar to "just able"?

Similar phrases include "barely capable", "scarcely able", or "only just managed to", all indicating a narrow margin of ability or success.

Is it correct to say "just able to" or should I use another phrase?

It is correct to use "just able to", but the best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey. If you want to emphasize difficulty, consider "hardly able". If you want to show the minimum level of capacity you can use the phrase "only just managed to".

What's the difference between "just able" and "easily able"?

"Just able" implies a minimal level of competence or a narrow margin of success, while "easily able" indicates a high degree of capability and little difficulty. They are opposites in terms of the ability they describe.