I recently posed the following question on Facebook: “What word(s) do you repeat too often in writing and/or dialogue?” One word that appeared numerous times in the thread was just.

There are just so many ways to replace just that I just decided to write a post filled with just alternatives just for all the writers who are just flabbergasted by the glut of just repetitions in their WIPs.

If you had a laugh attack when you read the previous paragraph, you’ll understand why people snicker — or sometimes discontinue reading a book — when they encounter similar passages.

Direct Replacements

Like many words in the English language, the adverb just comes with several meanings, each with its own connotations.

The following words and phrases can replace most occurrences.

just, as in barely
hardly, scarcely, slightly

just, as in exactly
absolutely, accurately, altogether, closely, completely, correctly, entirely, in all respects, in every respect, in every way, perfectly, precisely, quite, thoroughly, totally, unerringly, utterly, wholly

just, as in only
barely, merely, simply, solely, purely

just, as in recently
a minute ago, a moment ago, a second ago, a short time ago, freshly, in the past few minutes, in recent times, lately, of late, not long ago

just, as in simply
absolutely, altogether, clearly, completely, definitely, emphatically, entirely, exactly, indeed, merely, nothing but, perfectly, positively, precisely, purely, quite, really, solely, specifically, totally, truly

Sometimes the Best Approach Is to Delete Just

Here’s where your writer’s voice can sparkle. It’s unrealistic to remove every occurrence of any word. However, review each occurrence, and you may discover that deletion doesn’t appreciably change the meaning.

Andrea just wants ice cream, no sauce, no sprinkles.

The phrase at the end of the sentence, no sauce, no sprinkles, emphasizes Andrea’s preference, so just is superfluous.

It’s just unbelievable that they broke up.

Unbelievable, an absolute adjective, eliminates the need for an adverb of degree.

Just pay attention, and you’ll learn the technique.

This statement doesn’t lose its impact without just. However, it would work for dialogue.

He plays guitar just as well as he plays soccer — horribly.

This sentence reads smoother with the deletion, and just adds nothing to its meaning.

Her mother told her to go to bed. And she did just that.

Deletion of the final phrase makes the sentence more forceful.

Who’s on the phone? It’s just my mother.

Just might be warranted if the speaker is fibbing. However, in most cases, it adds nothing but fluff.

This year just gets worse with every passing day.

Although you might envision people saying this, especially in 1918, 1929, 1939, 2020, and other pivotal years, the deletion of just doesn’t detract from the meaning.

He’ll just wine you and dine you and drop you.

You might be tempted to keep this just, but the sentence probably reads better without it.

I’ll just be honest with you — you’re not my type.

During a breakup encounter, people might pad their words while they struggle for the right way to express their thoughts. Therefore, this just might fit your narrative.

It’s just a little poem he wrote for his mommy.

Readers might interpret this just as disparaging if the comment is made in reference to an adult but not if it involves a child. Does it fit? If not, turf it.

She was just too tired to clean up after him again.

Here’s another just that might suit your writer’s voice, but it reads even better as:

She was just too tired to clean up after him. Again.

Note the emphasis provided by the sentence fragment.

Clichés and Idioms

Here’s where just repetitions often sneak into a WIP. Try to replace them with more concise phrasing. Remember, though, that dialogue should seem realistic.

If you don’t see a just phrase listed here, look for it on the internet. For example, a search for “just a minute” (including quotes) produces millions of results.

in just a minute: anon, immediately, momentarily, presently, right away, shortly, soon

just a question of time: inescapable, inevitable, inexorable, predestined, predictable, unavoidable

just a stone’s throw away: at hand, close, in the neighborhood, in the vicinity, within walking distance

just another pretty face: attractive ignoramus, charming halfwit, good-looking simpleton, gorgeous fool

just around the corner: approaching, at hand, close, imminent, impending, near

just crazy enough to work: bizarre, extraordinary, far-fetched, incredible, unusual, weird, whacky

just for fun: for fun, for a joke, for a laugh, for enjoyment, for no reason, for pleasure

just like riding a bicycle: comfortable, easy, effortless, second nature, straightforward, uncomplicated

just the same: anyway, even so, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, regardless

just to be safe: as a precaution, as a safeguard, for insurance, with foresight, with prudence