though only just

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "though only just" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has barely met a certain condition or standard. Example: "She passed the exam, though only just, which relieved her after weeks of studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In the end Wilmots waited until extra time and was vindicated, though only just.

The Guardian - Sport

"The glint of hope today is that we still have time — though only just barely — to adjust our course.

The New York Times

Hardened prisoners will be moved to cellblocks, though only just over 2,700 inmates live in cells in Russia today.

The New York Times

Meanwhile on 5, McIlroy rattles in his birdie putt - it falls, though only just - and he's -1.

The Guardian - Sport

Throughout his writing (and here too his memoir is no exception) dark humor veils, though only just, a layer of pervasive pain.

The New York Times - Books

Though only just discovered, Nipah appeared to be a very old virus, judging from how different it was in form, Dr. Field said.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Just how dodgy, though, only becomes clear over time.

The Economist

We have though only scratched the surface, with just a handful of risk alleles so far identified.

Current Opinion in Rheumatology

Though, only the letter(s) that you just put down will give you the word/letter scores.

WikiHow

Russia hasn't kept up a female presence in orbit, though; it only just last month launched its first female cosmonaut in almost two decades, Elena Serova.

Independent

Seeing as though Snow Leopard is only $29, this just-announced $9.95 update program doesn't have quite the same impact that it might otherwise have.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "though only just" to convey a sense of something being minimally sufficient or barely achieved. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the narrow margin of success or adequacy.

Common error

While "though only just" is acceptable, be mindful of overuse in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "narrowly" or "scarcely" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "though only just" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the degree to which an action was performed or a condition was met, emphasizing that it was achieved by a narrow margin. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "though only just" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that conveys the idea of something being achieved by a narrow margin. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts. While prevalent in news and media, its appropriateness in formal and scientific writing should be carefully evaluated, considering more precise alternatives. As Ludwig's examples showcase, "though only just" effectively communicates a sense of minimal sufficiency or near failure, adding a layer of nuance to the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only just barely

Adds emphasis on how close something was to not happening or being true.

just scraped by

Combination of two alternatives that is very similar to the main query.

narrowly succeeded

Highlights the close margin of success, implying a precarious situation.

squeaked by

Conveys the idea of getting past a challenge with very little room to spare.

barely managed

Focuses on the action of managing to do something with difficulty, rather than the condition itself.

hardly made it

Implies a struggle to reach a certain point or achieve a goal.

scarcely achieved

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving something, suggesting a near failure.

scraped through

Suggests a minimal level of success, often implying a lack of skill or effort.

by a whisker

Uses an idiom to indicate a very small margin of success or completion.

almost didn't

Focuses on the near possibility of something not occurring.

FAQs

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

Use "though only just" to indicate that something barely meets a requirement or standard. For example, "She passed the test, "though only just", after studying for weeks".

What are some alternatives to "though only just"?

You can use alternatives like "barely", "scarcely", or "narrowly" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "though only just" and "barely"?

"Though only just" often implies a sense of surprise or relief that something was achieved, while "barely" simply indicates that something was achieved by a small margin.

Is it grammatically correct to use "though only just"?

Yes, "though only just" is grammatically correct and commonly used. However, as Ludwig AI points out, its usage should be considered in the context of the writing, avoiding overuse in more formal documents.