just about

USAGE SUMMARY

"just about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to mean that something is almost the case, or nearly true. For example, "I'm just about finished with my essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're just about ready".

The New Yorker

Just about perfect.

The Economist

Just about never.

University of California, Berkeley

They're just about everywhere.

Cornell University

We were just about ruined.

The New York Times

Well, just about everywhere.

Science Magazine

That happens just about never.

Forbes

That just about did it.

Forbes

Just about.

The Economist

Just about everything.

The New York Times

It's just about personality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about" to indicate that something is very close to being a certain way or reaching a particular state. It adds a nuanced sense of approximation.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "just about" in formal contexts where precision is valued. While acceptable, it can sometimes be perceived as vague. Opt for more specific language when exactness is important.

Linguistic Context

The adverb phrase "just about" primarily functions as a qualifier, modifying verbs or adjectives to indicate approximation, nearness, or a degree of closeness to a particular state or action. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just about" is a versatile adverb phrase used to express approximation or nearness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and commonly used term. While suitable for many contexts, including news and media, it's important to consider the level of formality required in your writing. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "approximately" or "virtually". Remember that "just about" suggests something is close to a certain state, but not quite there, adding a subtle nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost

This is a more concise and direct way to express nearness or approximation.

nearly

This alternative conveys a similar sense of approximation, but can sometimes imply a slightly greater degree of closeness.

approximately

This is a more formal synonym, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

virtually

This implies something is so close to being true that it can be considered as such for all practical purposes.

practically

This emphasizes the practical effect of something being nearly true or complete.

more or less

This is a less precise alternative, suggesting a general approximation rather than a close one.

close to

This alternative specifies a degree of proximity without necessarily implying completion or exactness.

in the vicinity of

This indicates that something exists in a space that is close, or a time frame that is nearby.

coming up on

This suggests being about to reach a particular milestone or time.

getting close to

This conveys a sense of gradual approach towards a goal or state.

FAQs

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

You can use "just about" to indicate that something is nearly or almost the case, for example, "I am "almost done" with my homework" or "The movie is "nearly over"".

What are some alternatives to "just about"?

Alternatives to "just about" include "almost", "nearly", "approximately", or "virtually". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "just about" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "just about" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "approximately" or "virtually" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "just about" and "exactly"?

"Just about" implies an approximation or nearness to a state, whereas "exactly" indicates precision and accuracy. For instance, "It's just about finished" means it's nearly done, while "It's exactly finished" means it is completely done.