LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
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Spoonful #77: JUST DO IT!

10/18/2020

6 Comments

 
Picture
 JUST creeps into all kinds of writing, making it tentative, passive, and dull. If you challenge yourself to search and replace JUST before submitting your final drafts, your readers will thank you! Let's review five JUST-infected sentences to prove this point.

1. I just wanted to say that I love dogs. 
JUST isn't the only problem in this sentence. Go ahead and shout from the rooftops: I love dogs! 

2. My dog Honey just finished her breakfast. 
It would more active and appealing to write this: My dog Honey finished her breakfast and is sniffing around for more food. 

3. Marilyn was just about to take a walk when the phone rang. 
JUST. PLAIN. BLAH! How about this instead? Marilyn had one foot out the door when the phone rang. Which sentence do you prefer? 

4. Dinner is just about ready. 
Here, JUST ABOUT could be replaced with almost or nearly. For clarity, however, I vote for Dinner will be ready in 5 minutes. 

5. Juanita felt just about ready to explode.

There are more descriptive ways you could write that sentence. Two options include Juanita's anger simmered, ready to bubble over at any moment or the straightforward and bold choice, Juanita exploded.

Whether your writing style is descriptive, active, straightforward, or meandering, don't let JUST infect your essays, stories, or speeches!

That's a wrap for today's spoonful. Until next Sunday, be safe, be happy, be creative, and be kind. 
​
Laura Fineberg Cooper

6 Comments
Marcia Strykowski link
10/19/2020 06:22:18 am

This is JUST what I needed to read today. I'm a big user of this boring word and will do my best to chop it out of my current work-in-progress. Thanks very much for the reminder!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
10/19/2020 03:09:43 pm

Dear Marcia,
I'm so glad you found this helpful! I always do a "JUST CHECK" before I submit my drafts.

Reply
Marti Johnson
10/19/2020 01:55:42 pm

I'm a huge just abuser! I'll just have to do better.

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
10/19/2020 03:12:38 pm

Dear Marti,
You are not alone! This is my biggest affliction, and I've read many drafts similarly stricken. Being aware of the problem is 9/10 of the way toward curing it!

Reply
Adaela McLaughlin
10/20/2020 09:57:30 am

I had never thought about the word, just. It is a boring word and it does seem to infuse hesitation into a conversation or writing. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
10/20/2020 11:22:50 pm

Dear Adaela,
I really appreciate your comment! I read a picture book biography that had an overabundance of JUST in it. It's a great story, but would be even better with one or two fewer JUSTs.

Reply



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    Welcome to
    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

    Swallowing too many grammar rules at once can be hazardous to one's health. That's why my goal is to deliver one spoonful at a time - in the most delightful way.
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    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

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