not just yet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not just yet' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to politely refuse a request or offer, or to indicate that something will happen at some point in the future but not immediately. For example: "Would you like to go for a walk?" "Not just yet - I'm still cleaning up the kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But not just yet.

The New York Times - Sports

Not just yet!

Harvard University

(Her response? "Not just yet").

The New York Times

Maybe not just yet.

The New York Times

Not just yet, though.

The Guardian

Apparently not just yet.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But we probably won't just yet.

Independent

FlyChat, however, isn't just yet.

TechCrunch

But Ziro isn't just yet another RC car.

TechCrunch

But I won't just yet.

Huffington Post

Do not despair just yet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not just yet" to soften a refusal or defer an action, making it sound less abrupt. It implies future consideration or possibility.

Common error

In highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "not at this time" or "deferred" to maintain a professional tone. "Not just yet" can sometimes sound too casual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not just yet" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate timing. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage for politely postponing an action or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not just yet" is a versatile and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to politely postpone an action or event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and found across a range of contexts, from news and media to academic writing. When using "not just yet", remember that while it's generally appropriate, more formal alternatives may be better suited to very formal contexts. To ensure clarity and precision in your writing, consider related phrases like "not yet" or "not right now". Mastering the use of "not just yet" allows you to communicate a temporary deferral with grace and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not yet

A shorter, more direct way of saying something will happen later.

not right now

Similar to "not yet" but emphasizes immediacy.

not at this time

More formal and polite, indicating the present is not suitable.

not for the time being

Indicates a temporary postponement.

in due time

Suggests something will happen when the time is right.

not anytime soon

Implies a more distant future than "not yet".

later

Very brief, implying a near future action.

wait a while

Simple direction to delay an action.

not in the immediate future

Formal, specifying the action is further off.

hold your horses

Idiomatic expression to wait or be patient.

FAQs

How can I use "not just yet" in a sentence?

You can use "not just yet" to politely postpone a request or suggest something will happen later. For example, "Can we leave?" "Not just yet, I need to finish this task."

What does "not just yet" mean?

"Not just yet" indicates that something will happen in the future, but not immediately or at the present moment. It's a way of saying 'later' or 'wait a while'.

What can I say instead of "not just yet"?

Alternatives to "not just yet" include "not yet", "not right now", or "later" depending on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is "not just yet" appropriate for formal writing?

While "not just yet" is widely understood, it may be too casual for certain formal contexts. In those cases, consider using more formal alternatives such as "not at this time" or "in due time".