just missed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just missed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something narrowly failed to achieve or catch something, often in a timely manner. Example: "I just missed the bus by a few seconds, and now I have to wait for the next one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I just missed".

The New York Times - Sports

"You just missed him".

The New Yorker

"He just missed.

The New York Times

"I just missed it".

The New York Times - Sports

Just missed it long.

The New York Times - Sports

His forehead just missed it.

The New Yorker

We just missed our stop!

The New York Times - Magazine

Just missed it a little".

The New York Times

It just missed him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Wild Turkey just missed.

The New York Times - Food

"You just missed one".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis, you may want to combine this with qualifiers or adverbs such as 'really' or 'nearly'.

Common error

While "just missed" is widely understood, overuse can make writing seem less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "narrowly failed" or "fell slightly short" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just missed" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It typically modifies a verb by indicating the action almost succeeded or occurred, but ultimately did not. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function in diverse contexts, from sports to personal anecdotes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just missed" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a near miss or slight failure. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While its frequency suggests widespread acceptability, considering more formal alternatives in specific writing scenarios is advisable. Overall, "just missed" effectively conveys a sense of proximity to success or achievement, making it a valuable part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only just missed

Adds emphasis to the nearness of the miss.

narrowly missed

Emphasizes the small margin by which something was missed.

scarcely missed

Emphasizes the minimal distance from the intended target or result.

missed by a hair

Uses a vivid image to convey a very narrow miss.

barely avoided

Highlights the avoidance of a negative outcome by a small margin.

was just shy of

Indicates a slight deficiency in reaching a goal.

came close to

Indicates proximity to a particular event or outcome.

almost reached

Suggests nearing a specific goal or destination.

fell short of

Implies a failure to achieve a desired standard or target.

nearly attained

Focuses on the almost successful acquisition of something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "just missed" is typically used to indicate that someone or something narrowly failed to achieve something. For example, "I "just missed" the train" or "The team "just missed" the playoffs".

What are some alternatives to "just missed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "narrowly missed", "almost reached", or "barely avoided".

Is it grammatically correct to say "just missed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

What's the difference between "just missed" and "completely missed"?

"Just missed" implies a near miss, while "completely missed" means there was no contact or achievement at all. For example, "He "just missed" the goal" means the ball was close, but "He completely missed the goal" means he didn't even come close.