just any of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just any of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not specific and can refer to any option within a group. Example: "I don't want just any of the available options; I want the best one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It wasn't just any of my friends calling from a cellphone.

The New York Times

Gong isn't bowing on just any of Beijing's 17 subway routes. .

Vice

If you've been watching the psychotic roll out of the Iowa caucuses or just any of the latest election news, you may have noticed that Hillary Clinton's campaign has been appropriately blasting Rachel Platten's "Fight Song" when she takes the stage.

Huffington Post

Angelica says that being strictly aromantic meant that she'd never develop romantic feelings for anyone, but as a demiromantic, she fell for her best friend (she notes that this wouldn't have happened with just any of her best friends—it was that she was into this specific person).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And not just any sort of people, of course.

The New Yorker

Moreover, I can't use just any type of paper or any type of pen.

BBC

"Just any kind of help," Girardi said.

The New York Times

And not just any type of cancer.

The New York Times - Books

Not just any celebrity, of course.

The New York Times

Not just any kind of carpetbaggers, either.

The New York Times

And not just any kind of quiet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just any of" to indicate that the specific choice doesn't matter, and any option from a group is suitable for your purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "just any of" in highly formal writing where a more precise or sophisticated phrase would be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "any" or "any one of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just any of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun phrase to indicate that the selection is not limited to specific items within a group. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just any of" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of specific preference when selecting from a group of options. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it is relatively rare and more suited for neutral to informal contexts, as demonstrated in news and media and academia. For more formal writing, consider using alternatives like "any one of" for increased precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just anyone of

Slightly emphasizes the person, but it is more rare.

literally any of

Emphasizes that the selection is entirely unrestricted.

almost any of

Indicates that nearly all options are acceptable, with a slight reservation.

precisely any of

Highlights the fact that there is no option of choice.

simply any of

Adds a degree of straightforwardness, emphasizing lack of complexity.

specifically any of

Highlights that any specific thing is needed, so not necessarily a choice.

virtually any of

Highlights the near-total inclusivity, suggesting very few exceptions.

practically any of

Similar to virtually any of, implying a very high degree of inclusivity.

any old of

More informal and implies a lower quality or lesser importance.

hardly any of

Expresses rarity or scarcity, the opposite meaning of QUERY.

FAQs

What does "just any of" mean?

The phrase "just any of" indicates that there is no particular preference or requirement regarding the selection from a group. It emphasizes that any option within that group is acceptable.

How can I use "just any of" in a sentence?

You might say, "I don't want just any of the available options; I want the best one". In this context, it clarifies that a specific, high-quality choice is desired, not merely a random or generic one.

What are some alternatives to "just any of"?

Alternatives include "any one of", "any of", or "any option from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "just any of" formal or informal?

The phrase "just any of" leans towards the informal side. In formal contexts, consider using more precise language to avoid any ambiguity.