VOA名师答疑2024--Using 'Just' and 'Only'

Using 'Just' and 'Only'

　　Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Mohammad.

　　Question

　　What is the difference between just and only?

　　Answer

　　Thank you for writing, Mohammad. This is a good question.

　　In an earlier Ask a Teacher, we explained how the two words, "just" and "only," seem to mean the same thing. For example:

　　She was just a baby when she came to America.

　　Or

　　She was only a baby when she came to America.

　　In that article, we also explained how the two words have different meanings and when you should use one and not the other. The difference in usage¹ is so small that you might not even notice at first. But it is very important.

　　So, let's look at more ways to use the two words today.

　　Usage

　　Usage is the way in which a word or phrase² is normally³ used⁴.

　　The word "only" can be used in an undesirable⁵ situation. For example:

　　He only finished half his homework.

　　Only two banks stay open after 4 p.m.

　　You're only coming on Saturday? I wish you could come earlier.

　　Its usage is also common when we are not happy about something:

　　It's only right that they get the same pay for the same work.

　　The noise is fine, only if it does not hurt my ear.

　　However, we use the word "just" when we want to make an emphasis⁶, or a stronger statement⁷. Let's compare the last two examples with these:

　　It's just not right that he gets more pay for the same work.

　　The noise hurts my ear. Just be quiet, please!

　　In spoken English, believe it or not, we also use "just" when we want to make something smaller or less important.

　　For example, when someone thinks the distance is too far, we might say:

　　Your friend lives just down the road.

　　If they do not have a lot of time, we might ask:

　　Can you wait just a minute?

　　And when someone appears to be busy, we might say:

　　Could I just ask you something?

　　I was just wondering, can we meet tomorrow?

　　Please let us know if this explanation⁸ has helped you, Mohammad.

　　Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email⁹ at [email protected].

　　And that's Ask a Teacher.

　　Words in This Story

　　emphasis—n. special importance, value, or attention

1 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

2 phrase   

n.短语，词组；成语，习语

参考例句：

• The phrase was caught on and immediately became popular.这个短语被采用后很快就流行了。
• That's exactly the phrase I was looking for.这就是我一直找的那个短语。

3 normally   

adv.正常地，通常地

参考例句：

• I normally do all my shopping on Saturdays.我通常在星期六买东西。
• My pulse beats normally.我脉搏正常。

4 used   

adj.用旧了的，旧的；习惯于…；过去惯/经常

参考例句：

• I used to work until nearly 6:00 o'clock each day.我过去常常工作到6:00左右。
• He used to walk anywhere from two to five miles an hour.他过去经常一小时走二至五英里。

5 undesirable   

adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子

参考例句：

• They are the undesirable elements among the employees.他们是雇员中的不良分子。
• Certain chemicals can induce undesirable changes in the nervous system.有些化学物质能在神经系统中引起不良变化。

6 emphasis   

n.强调，重点，重要性

参考例句：

• The emphasis has shifted markedly in recent years.最近几年重点已经明显改变了。
• Particular emphasis will be placed on oral language training.将会特别强调口语训练。

7 statement   

n.陈述；声明；综述

参考例句：

• The government will put out a new statement tomorrow.政府将于明天发布一项新声明。
• Put down your statement in black and white.把你的话用白纸黑字写下来。

8 explanation   

n.解释，解说，说明

参考例句：

• I had better say a few words by way of explanation.我最好以解释的方式说几句话。
• She did not continue with her explanation.她没有继续解释下去。

9 email   

n.电子邮件（Electronic mail），透过电脑网路传送邮件的方式

参考例句：

• You can send me an email.你可以给我发一份电子邮件。
• It's Interesting to read your email.读你的电子邮件很有趣。