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Jandi Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

Just & only

Hello, teachers!

Are these sentences all acceptable?

1. Just a while ago she was here to see you.
2. Only a while ago she was here to see you.
3. Only a while ago was she here to see you.
4. Just about ten minutes ago she was here to see you.
5. Only about ten minutes ago she was here to see you.
6. Only about ten minutes ago was she here to see you.

Thank you very much.
Peace!
  

Top answer

I find them all acceptable, but 3 and 6 are a little strange. More idiomatic: She was here to see you just a (little) while ago. She was here to see you just (about) ten minutes ago.

  • I find them all acceptable, but 3 and 6 are a little strange.
  • More idiomatic: She was here to see you just a (little) while ago.
  • She was here to see you just (about) ten minutes ago.
  • Words in parentheses are optional, as usual.
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1 Answers
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I find them all acceptable, but 3 and 6 are a little strange.

More idiomatic:

She was here to see you just a (little) while ago.
She was here to see you just (about) ten minutes ago.

Words in parentheses are optional, as usual.

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