just them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just them" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific group or set of things without mentioning other examples. For example, "The only people invited to the party were just them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It wasn't just them.

The New York Times

"It's just them".

The New Yorker

"It's not just them.

Independent

W.H.H.: Just them?

The New Yorker

And not just them.

The New York Times

Not just them but us too.

The New Yorker

Just them — their personality, their larking about.

The New Yorker

It's not just them," he said.

The New York Times

This is just them… being.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And it's not just them.

The Guardian

We say: that's just them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just them" to clearly specify a limited group, avoiding ambiguity about who is included or excluded.

Common error

Avoid using "just them" when you actually mean to include others. Be precise about who the phrase refers to, or you might unintentionally exclude people or give a wrong sense of exclusivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just them" primarily functions as a determiner phrase. It serves to specify and limit the scope of a statement or action to a particular group, excluding others. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just them" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for specifying a particular group or set of individuals. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to express exclusivity or limitation, with a neutral formality level. While the phrase is common across various contexts, it is most frequently found in News & Media. Understanding its function and intended purpose helps ensure clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only them

Emphasizes that no one else is included.

simply them

Highlights the straightforward nature of the inclusion.

exclusively them

Stresses that the group is uniquely selected.

merely them

Suggests a sense of limitation or insignificance beyond the group.

purely them

Indicates that only the mentioned individuals are responsible.

precisely them

Highlights the accuracy and correctness of choosing this specific group.

specifically them

Emphasizes the deliberate choice of a particular group.

solely them

Highlights the absence of others beside that group

particularly them

Indicates that a group has been chosen due to a specific reason

just those individuals

Highlights that the focus in on particular individuals and not a group

FAQs

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

You can use "just them" to specify that only a particular group is involved or affected, as in, "The award was meant for "only them".".

What's a good alternative to "just them"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "only those", "merely them", or "solely them" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "just them"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is used to emphasize or specify a particular group or set of people. For example, "It was "only them" who understood the assignment".

What is the difference between "just them" and "only them"?

While similar, "just them" can sometimes carry a slightly more casual or informal tone compared to "only them", which might sound more exclusive or precise. In most cases, they are interchangeable.