only just over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only just over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is slightly more than a certain amount or threshold, often in terms of time, distance, or quantity. Example: "The event lasted only just over two hours, making it a quick but enjoyable experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It holds only just over 15,000.

The Guardian - Sport

We're only just over a year old.

The Guardian

It's only just over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1996, however, sales increased by only just over 6%.

The Economist

Turkish growth slowed in 2013 to only just over 3%.

The Economist

In the biggest, Poland, only just over a fifth of the electorate turned out to vote.

The Economist

The measures will affect only just over a quarter of the monopolists' protected revenues.

The Economist

Only just over half know that euro notes and coins will not be introduced until 2002.

The Economist

Even now its quota is only just over 5m b/d.

The Economist

In contrast, only just over half of American men born at the bottom later moved up.

The Economist

Even among Labour's own voters only just over half say they approve of Miliband's performance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only just over", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the amount being exceeded. This adds clarity and precision to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "only just over" when the difference is substantial or significant. This phrase is best reserved for truly marginal increases, as misusing it can misrepresent the magnitude and impact of the excess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only just over" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that a quantity or amount is slightly more than a specified value. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only just over" is a versatile and grammatically sound qualifier used to indicate that a quantity is marginally above a certain amount. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, from news reports and scientific papers to everyday conversation. While the phrase sees prevalent usage in news and media, it is also common in science and formal business documentation. When using "only just over", clarity and precision are crucial, so make sure the reference point is well-defined. Remember, this phrase best suits situations where the excess is truly minimal; reserve it for those small, but significant, differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more than

Indicates a small excess, emphasizing the marginal difference over a specific amount.

a little above

Implies a minor increase beyond a given value, suggesting proximity to a boundary.

barely exceeding

Highlights the minimal extent to which something surpasses a limit or threshold.

just a bit more than

Emphasizes the small quantity by which something exceeds a particular measure.

marginally above

Suggests a slight and possibly insignificant increase beyond a set level.

scarcely surpassing

Indicates that the amount by which something exceeds a value is minimal and almost negligible.

a shade over

Emphasizes the small amount of excess with an informal tone, suggesting a minimal difference.

fractionally greater than

Highlights the tiny fraction by which a value exceeds a certain point.

negligibly more than

Indicates that the amount exceeding a threshold is so small that it can almost be ignored.

virtually equal to

Highlights the minimal difference between something and a value, indicating near equality.

FAQs

How can I use "only just over" in a sentence?

Use "only just over" to indicate a quantity or value that is slightly more than a specific amount. For example, "The project took "only just over" a year to complete" suggests it was completed shortly after the one-year mark.

What's the difference between "only just over" and "slightly more than"?

Both phrases indicate a small excess, but ""only just over"" often implies a closer proximity to the threshold than "slightly more than". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to place on the nearness to the threshold.

Is it more appropriate to use "only just over" in formal or informal writing?

The phrase ""only just over"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In very formal or technical writing, you might prefer a more precise expression.

What are some alternative ways to say "only just over"?

Alternatives include "a little above", "marginally above", or "barely exceeding". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and the level of precision required.