just so

USAGE SUMMARY

"just so" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize something. For example: "The coffee was just so delicious that I went back for seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just so.

The New York Times

Just so effortless.

The New York Times

She's just so proud.

The New York Times

"It's just so balanced".

The New York Times - Food

"It's just so cool".

The New Yorker

"It's just so crazy".

The New Yorker

Just so you know.

The New York Times

I'm just so pleased.

Independent

"Just so I know.

The New Yorker

It's just so scary".

Independent

You're just so awful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just so" to indicate agreement, ensure the context is clear and the agreement is unambiguous.

Common error

Avoid using "just so" excessively in casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "exactly" or "that's right" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "just so" is as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause to emphasize the precise manner or condition required for something to occur, or to express agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Just so" is an adverbial phrase commonly used to emphasize precision, agreement, or a particular condition. Ludwig AI states that it is correct and usable in written English, particularly to emphasize something. While it can be used in various contexts, overuse in informal settings might sound overly formal. Alternatives such as "exactly" or "that's right" can be suitable depending on the situation. The frequency of its usage is very common, particularly in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly right

Emphasizes precise correctness, similar to "just so" in conveying accuracy.

precisely

Highlights accuracy and exactness, mirroring "just so's" implication of precision.

that's right

Indicates agreement or affirmation, akin to one use of "just so".

indeed

Affirms a statement, similar to "just so" in expressing confirmation.

quite so

An older, more formal synonym emphasizing agreement and acknowledgement.

just like that

Highlights how easily or exactly something happened or should happen.

in that manner

Focuses on the way something is done, similarly to "just so's" emphasis on precision.

in the manner indicated

Highlights that something needs to be done according to previous indications.

perfectly

Indicates that something has been done exactly as it should have been.

right on

Highlights how accurate an observation or a suggestion has been.

FAQs

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

"Just so" can emphasize the precision of an action, as in "If you turn the knob "just so", the door will open". It can also express agreement, similar to "exactly".

What are some alternatives to "just so"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exactly", "precisely", or "that's right".

Is "just so" formal or informal?

"Just so" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it leans towards a more formal tone. Consider your audience when choosing between "just so" and more casual alternatives.

What does "just so" mean when expressing agreement?

When used to express agreement, "just so" means "exactly" or "that's correct". It affirms the preceding statement with emphasis.