literally just

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "literally just" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the exactness or simplicity of a statement, typically in informal contexts. Example: "I literally just finished my homework five minutes ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Literally, just like the dinosaurs.

The New York Times

"Literally just two people.

The Guardian - Music

"Literally just that game.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A No, we literally just started.

The New York Times

"He literally just started sewing," Nored said.

The New York Times - Sports

I had literally just given birth!

The Guardian - Film

Everything else is literally just bollocks.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is literally just what we do.

The New Yorker

There was literally just too much snow.

The New York Times

"I literally just ran away from it.

The New York Times - Style

Literally just treats women like human beings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "literally just" to emphasize the simplicity or exactness of a situation, ensuring clarity in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "literally just" excessively, as it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literally just" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the truth or simplicity of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It modifies verbs or adjectives to add emphasis, as seen in examples like "I literally just got off the plane."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Social Media

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "literally just" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the simplicity or truth of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the phrase, which is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While useful for adding emphasis, it should be used judiciously to avoid overuse. Alternatives such as "simply just" or "exactly just" can provide similar emphasis without repetition. When used correctly, "literally just" can effectively enhance clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exactly just

Substitutes "literally" with "exactly" to highlight precision and accuracy in the statement.

simply just

Replaces "literally" with "simply", softening the emphasis while retaining the core meaning of straightforwardness.

actually just

Replaces "literally" with "actually", indicating that something is genuinely the case.

really just

Uses "really" instead of "literally" to convey authenticity or genuineness in a more casual tone.

truly just

Substitutes "literally" with "truly" to emphasize the veracity of a statement.

basically just

Employs "basically" to express the fundamental nature of something, similar to "literally" in conveying simplicity.

genuinely just

Replaces "literally" with "genuinely" to convey authenticity and sincerity.

utterly just

Replaces "literally" with "utterly" to express completeness or totality.

just plainly

Inverts the order to emphasize plainness. Changes adjective "literally" to adverb "plainly".

plain and simple

Expresses something in an easy and straightforward way, changing the emphasis from exactness to simplicity.

FAQs

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

You can use "literally just" to emphasize the straightforwardness or exactness of a statement, such as "I "literally just" finished the report" or "It's "literally just" a matter of time".

What are some alternatives to "literally just"?

Alternatives to "literally just" include phrases like "simply just", "exactly just", or "actually just", depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "literally just"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "literally just", but be mindful of its potential overuse. It is best used to emphasize a point, rather than as a filler word.

What's the difference between "literally just" and "simply just"?

"Literally just" emphasizes exactness and is sometimes used hyperbolically, while "simply just" highlights the ease or lack of complexity in a situation.