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Tuongvan Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

just about

Hi teachers,
My Cambridge dictionary says "Just" means "almost or almost not" and it gives many examples ,two of which I don't understand:

I have just about finished painting the house
This job is just about done

Could you possibly help me understand it's meaning?

Thank you in advance
  

Top answer

"just about" = almost, very close I'm just about finished = I'm very close to being done = it's almost over. Note the idiom (said by many irritated mothers to squabbling children) I've had just about enough of this nonsense from you. I've had just about enough = I'm very close to completely losing my temper.

— BarbaraPA

  • "just about" = almost, very close I'm just about finished = I'm very close to being done = it's almost over.
  • Note the idiom (said by many irritated mothers to squabbling children) I've had just about enough of this nonsense from you.
  • I've had just about enough = I'm very close to completely losing my temper.
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6 Answers
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"just about" = almost, very close

I'm just about finished = I'm very close to being done = it's almost over.

Note the idiom (said by many irritated mothers to squabbling children) I've had just about enough of this nonsense from you. I've had just about enough = I'm very close to completely losing my temper.
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Thank you Grammar Geek.
However, to make sure I can understand exactly what you want to convey, is it ok if I say "This job is just about done" means " This job has not been done yet ,but it will be done soon "? and is it ok if I say "I have just about finished painting the house" means "I am just finishing painting the house"?

Best wishes
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Yes to the first part - it's not done, but it will be soon.

No to the second part - Just has two meanings. What are you doing? Just lying around watching TV. - nothing more than, it's all i'm doing, makes it sound not very important.

If you take the "almost" meaning, then "I'm just finishing" means you are really done now, or will be in another few minutes. It's a closer state
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Sorry Grammar Geek,
I'm still not clear about the meaning of the sentence"I've just about finished painting the house"Does it mean "I have painted it and it is nearly finished now" ?
Best wishes
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TuongvanI have just about finished painting the house
This job is just about done
I have almost finished painting the house. (I have not painted the house completely. There is still a very small part to do, and then I will be completely finished.)

This job is almost done. (The job is not completely done. There is still a very sm
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Hi Califjim,

Perhaps you misunderstood my question.What I really t want to ask is whether "I have just about finished painting the house" means"I have almost finished painting the house."Are the two sentences have the same meaning ?

Your taking the trouble to help me understand this issue is greatly appreciated

Best Wishes
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