just this much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just this much" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a small or specific amount of something, often in a context where you want to emphasize the limited extent of what you are referring to. Example: "I only need you to understand just this much about the project for now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But Jolie's story is weirder than just this much suggests.

The Guardian - Film

Professor Douglas W. Rae: Okay and if I gave you just this much seed?

Yale University

Doing just this much reverse-engineering of The Post's story hints at the reportorial girth underlying the allegations.

The Washington Post

"People are just this much away from murdering each other, raping one another, knifing, shooting, massacring, garotting," he snaps.

The Guardian - Books

Warren, then, appears to have consulted with Judiciary Committee lawyers and was seemingly told that per the rules, she could divulge just this much about what is in the documents, and not a syllable more.

The Washington Post

But you got the sense that the lady was, quietly, trying to make the good point that the calm appraisal of reality — just this much of the boardwalk has actually broken — is more valuable in saving lives and planning actions than the hysterical imagination of catastrophe.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For now, let's just say this much: Carlson is tall, but not too tall.

Los Angeles Times

Just not this much.

The New York Times - Sports

Just not this much change, evidently.

The New York Times

I wish the White House had just addressed this much earlier".

The New Yorker

We knew Google was really interested in white space — just not this much.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just this much" to clearly indicate a limited or specific quantity, often to emphasize that the amount is smaller than expected or sufficient for a particular purpose.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple emphasizing words with "just this much". While it's acceptable in informal contexts, overuse dilutes the phrase's impact. Opt for stronger, more direct phrasing for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just this much" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It quantifies or specifies the amount or extent of something, often implying that the quantity is limited or small. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just this much" serves as a determiner phrase employed to denote a specified quantity, often underscoring its limited scope. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English. While it's observed more frequently in News & Media, its application extends across various contexts like Academia, and Science. Alternative expressions include "only this much" or "merely this much". When using "just this much", aim for clarity and avoid redundant emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only this much

Replaces "just" with "only", emphasizing the limited quantity.

merely this much

Substitutes "just" with "merely", highlighting the insignificance of the amount.

simply this much

Uses "simply" instead of "just", conveying ease and lack of complexity regarding the amount.

exactly this much

Replaces "just" with "exactly", emphasizing precision in the indicated amount.

precisely this much

Similar to "exactly this much", highlighting the accuracy of the specified quantity.

no more than this

Indicates an upper limit, emphasizing that the amount does not exceed the specified quantity.

not any more than this

Similar to "no more than this", reinforcing the limited quantity.

this very amount

Emphasizes the specific quantity being referred to.

this specific quantity

Highlights the particular amount or quantity being discussed.

this limited extent

Focuses on the restricted degree or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "just this much" in a sentence?

Use "just this much" to specify a small or limited quantity, like "I need "just this much" sugar for the recipe" or "He admitted to knowing "just this much" about the situation".

What are some alternatives to saying "just this much"?

Alternatives include "only this much", "merely this much", or "simply this much", depending on the specific emphasis you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "just this much"?

Yes, "just this much" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a limited quantity or extent. It's suitable for both spoken and written English.

What's the difference between "just this much" and "only this much"?

While both phrases indicate a small quantity, "just this much" can sometimes imply a sense of sufficiency or adequacy, whereas "only this much" tends to emphasize the limited nature of the amount. The interchangeability is quite high and you can use one or the other.