just under

USAGE SUMMARY

"just under" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is nearly or almost a certain amount or size. For example: "I have just under two weeks left before my vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's just under 20 percent.

The New York Times

Just under two years.

The Guardian - Books

Just under $6.

The New York Times - Tech

Just under 15 minutes.

The Guardian - Music

Height: just under 6ft.

The Guardian - Books

Us just under.

The New Yorker

We leave in just under two weeks.

Independent

It took him just under four months.

Independent

Its unemployment rate is just under 20%.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

We were just under-funded.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Just under-handed!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just under" when you want to provide an estimate that is slightly below a precise number, avoiding exaggeration or overestimation. This lends credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "just under" with numbers that are already approximations or ranges. For example, saying "just under approximately 100" is redundant. Instead, use "approximately 100" or "just under 100."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just under" functions as a prepositional modifier, indicating a quantity or amount that is slightly less than a specified value. Ludwig's examples show it modifying numerical values like time, money, or percentages, providing a nuanced degree of precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just under" is a versatile prepositional modifier used to indicate that a quantity or value is slightly less than a specific amount. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, use "just under" to provide accurate estimations without overstating precise values. Be cautious about using it with already approximate numbers to avoid redundancy. Related phrases such as "slightly below" or "nearly" can be used as alternatives, depending on the context. The phrase's prevalence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly below

Indicates a quantity that is a small amount less than a specified value.

a little less than

Specifies an amount that is marginally smaller than a given value.

nearly

Suggests approaching a value from below, without quite reaching it.

almost

Implies closeness to a specific value, but not attaining it exactly.

close to

Indicates proximity to a specific value or measurement, remaining below it.

not quite

Suggests a value is incomplete or has not fully reached a certain level.

fractionally less than

Highlights that the amount is reduced by a small fraction of a value.

marginally below

Denotes that the quantity is slightly and minimally less than the specified amount.

in the vicinity of

Indicates that the exact amount is not specified, but it is close to a certain range of values.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of", suggesting an approximation around a value.

FAQs

How do I use "just under" in a sentence?

Use "just under" to indicate that a value is slightly less than a specific number. For example, "The project took "just under two years" to complete".

What are some alternatives to saying "just under"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "slightly below", "a little less than", or "nearly" as alternatives to "just under".

Is it more appropriate to use "just under" or "slightly less than"?

"Just under" and "slightly less than" are often interchangeable, but "just under" can sound more natural in casual contexts, while "slightly less than" may be preferred in more formal or technical writing.

Can "just under" be used with non-numerical values?

While "just under" is primarily used with numerical values, it can occasionally be used metaphorically with non-numerical concepts to indicate something that is slightly incomplete or lacking. However, this usage is less common and should be used with care.