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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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just we can

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just we can" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be an attempt to express a sentiment about capability or permission, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "We can just go if you want."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I detected no overt political message, just: we can do better.

News & Media

The New York Times

In his closing argument Mr. Zeitz told the jury that "whatever you feel is just, we can live with".

News & Media

The New York Times

"There wasn't any fear, just 'we can do this'," she said.

News & Media

BBC

The Spaniard, able to play after his red card from a sending off against Southampton in mid-week was over-turned, added via Twitter:  "After this shameful result in FA Cup, just we can say SORRY to all West Ham fans!

News & Media

BBC

There are no tour cycles with DJs it's just, 'We can play a couple shows, go home and write a new song for a couple of days, try it out, play it, make another song.' You know?

News & Media

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

News & Media

Huffington Post

But until then, we're just excited we can give people the opportunity".

News & Media

The New York Times

Just like we can".

Just because we can, will we?

News & Media

The New Yorker

I just think we can act responsibly".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I just hope we can get him".

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing ability or possibility, ensure the sentence structure is grammatically correct. Instead of "just we can", consider alternatives like "only we can" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "just we can" as it deviates from standard English grammar. This construction can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of your intended meaning.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just we can" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that it's an attempt to express capability or permission, but its word order does not adhere to typical English sentence structure, leading to ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just we can" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI points out that it attempts to convey ability or permission, but its non-standard structure makes it unclear. While it appears in a small number of examples, primarily from News & Media, it is best avoided in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "only we can" or rephrasing the sentence for better clarity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "just" with "we can"?

The word "just" typically modifies the verb in the phrase. Correct usage includes phrases like "we can "just go"" or "we can "just do it"". The phrase "just we can" is not standard English.

What phrases can I use instead of "just we can" to express exclusivity?

If you want to emphasize that only you or your group can do something, use "only we can" or "we are the "only ones who can"".

Is "just we can" ever grammatically correct?

In most contexts, "just we can" is not considered grammatically correct. The word order is unusual and doesn't align with standard English sentence structure. A rephrased sentence is almost always preferable.

How can I emphasize simplicity when expressing ability, without saying "just we can"?

To emphasize simplicity, you could say "we simply can" or "we can easily" depending on what you are trying to communicate.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: