Just

wegs

wegs

Matter and Pixie Dust
Valued Senior Member
Ran across an article recently, discussing the overuse of the word ''just'' in business emails. The author suggested breaking away from this word choice, as it may come across as lacking confidence. (on the part of the email sender) Hadn't really thought of it that way, but thinking about it now, I'll use ''just'' if I've second guessed an idea. According to linguistic ''experts,'' just leave just ...out of the sentence, altogether. It doesn't change the overall context of the sentence, whatsoever. ''My firm is hopeful of just making an introduction...'' as opposed to ''My firm is hopeful of making an introduction.'' Both sentences seem fine, but the first one could come across as lacking confidence, I suppose.

So, do you find yourself overusing this word ''just'' in business emails or even in everyday conversation? If so, do you agree with the connection between using the word (as opposed to not using it) as a lack of confidence on your part?
 
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wegs said:
Ran across an article recently, discussing the overuse of the word ''just'' in business emails. The author suggested breaking away from this word choice, as it may come across as lacking confidence. (on the part of the email sender) Hadn't really thought of it that way, but thinking about it now, I'll use ''just'' if I've second guessed an idea. According to linguistic ''experts,'' just leave just ...out of the sentence, altogether. It doesn't change the overall context of the sentence, whatsoever. ''My firm is hopeful of just making an introduction...'' as opposed to ''My firm is hopeful of making an introduction.'' Both sentences seem fine, but the first one could come across as unsure.

So, do you find yourself overusing this word ''just'' in business emails or even in everyday conversation? If so, do you agree with the connection between using the word (as opposed to not using it) as a lack of confidence on your part?
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I don't use it like that and hadn't noticed that it was being used a lot. I do agree that it shows a lack of confidence in the way you are describing it, if I can just point that out.:)

One thing that drives me crazy is the way many/most journalists now seem to start their reponses with "So".

TV host "Now I'm going to bring in Jane Smith, National Political Reporter for the NY Times. Jane, what is going on in Congress today?".

Jane Smith "So, Congress is considering the Covid Relief Bill this morning".

TV host "Jane, what are the chances that it's going to pass without revision?"

Jane Smith "So, it's likely that the Senate will want to make some minor changes"

Just leave off "so" when you start to speak...:) It's no better than "um" and it's just a quirk to give you time to think.
 
Seattle said:
I don't use it like that and hadn't noticed that it was being used a lot. I do agree that it shows a lack of confidence in the way you are describing it, if I can just point that out.:)

One thing that drives me crazy is the way many/most journalists now seem to start their reponses with "So".

TV host "Now I'm going to bring in Jane Smith, National Political Reporter for the NY Times. Jane, what is going on in Congress today?".

Jane Smith "So, Congress is considering the Covid Relief Bill this morning".

TV host" Jane, what are the chances that it's going to pass without revision?"

Jane Smith "So, it's likely that the Senate will want to make some minor changes"

Just leave off "so" when you start to speak...:) It's no better than "um" and it's just a quirk to give you time to think.
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ha That's so true! It's very catchy though, and I've been hearing it often on weekly calls with my work team. When it's someone's turn to speak about what's new and exciting in their department, invariably the person begins with ''Yea...so...we completed this awesome project last week...'' The response ''Oh, that's great, can you tell us the details?'' ''So, I can't really share the details with you right now, but soon...''

I'm wondering if (like just), it serves as a way of getting a point across without being direct. (if that makes sense)
 
wegs said:
ha That's so true! It's very catchy though, and I've been hearing it often on weekly calls with my work team. When it's someone's turn to speak about what's new and exciting in their department, invariably the person begins with ''Yea...so...we completed this awesome project last week...'' The response ''Oh, that's great, can you tell us the details?'' ''So, I can't really share the details with you right now, but soon...''

I'm wondering if (like just), it serves as a way of getting a point across without being direct. (if that makes sense)
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I think it's just a "lazy" quirk, just like "um".

I do hate those kinds of meetings/calls though where everyone is supposed to be "excited" or "enthused" to share "what great things you have going on!":)

"Wegs, who heads up our Scotch Tape market in Asia is up next. Wegs what exciting things have you got for us in the Scotch Tape market in Hong Kong?"

Wegs "Thanks for asking! I'm really excited about the growth rate of our Magic Tape brand in Hong Kong and Macau and not to let the cat out of the bag but let me share that we see really good things coming up in the next quarter for our Double Sided Tape but I'll share more in our next meeting!"
 
"Wegs, we're seeing great things from you. I'd like to present you with a microphone headset and I'd like you to come up on stage and "cheer lead" for us on our next new product introduction. What do you say!"
 
But ....then there’s Nike with its slogan “Just do it.” Not sure “Do it,” would have caught on. Hmm.
 
Seattle said:
"Wegs, we're seeing great things from you. I'd like to present you with a microphone headset and I'd like you to come up on stage and "cheer lead" for us on our next new product introduction. What do you say!"
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I quit! :D
 
wegs said:
I quit! :D
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"Now Wegs, with you in charge of our tapes portfolio the sky is the limit. I see masking tape being a great addition to your region. We'll discuss it more at our corporate retreat next month and I want to put you in charge of team building!"

Come to my office later tonight for drinks and we'll (cough cough) talk about it.
 
Seattle said:
"Now Wegs, with you in charge of our tapes portfolio the sky is the limit. I see masking tape being a great addition to your region. We'll discuss it more at our corporate retreat next month and I want to put you in charge of team building!"

Come to my office later tonight for drinks and we'll (cough cough) talk about it.
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Lol This reminds me too of empty phrases that are overused and mean nothing:

“We don’t need to boil the ocean.” (don’t overthink things)

“That’s another arrow in our quiver.” (another tool to benefit our clients)

“We need to think about the optics.”

“Where the rubber meets the road.”

Juuuust stop.
 
Seattle said:
Em, are you sure? So, you are saying that em is the correct way to stutter? :)
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It is a filler not a stutter

Not that I give, or even gave, many talks but if I gave them and I wanted to think about a reply I would go for the holding chin with head down and short pacing going "Emmmmmmm", occasionally stopping to look upward snap fingers and index finger in air

One time I got asked what I was doing

Well of course Emmmmmmm was my brain computing and if I didn't walk it would overheat

:)
 
Then there are the phrases that do mean something but they are still a misdirection.

Car dealer "What are you looking to spend? What's it going to take to get you into a car? What kind of payment are you looking for?" "Do you need financing" "What would you like to get for your old car"
"When can we get you down here for a test drive?".

Translation...we want to sell you a car and will do anything to do so. We also want to get as much of your money as possible while trying to be your buddy.:)
 
Seattle said:
Then there are the phrases that do mean something but they are still a misdirection.

Car dealer "What are you looking to spend? What's it going to take to get you into a car? What kind of payment are you looking for?" "Do you need financing" "What would you like to get for your old car"
"When can we get you down here for a test drive?".

Translation...we want to sell you a car and will do anything to do so. We also want to get as much of your money as possible while trying to be your buddy.:)
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That has to be a tough job. Carvana capitalized on the drudgery most people have when it comes to dealing with car dealerships and their sales ''tactics.''

By the way, you sound convincing. This could be a side-hustle for you. :D
 
wegs said:
Ran across an article recently, discussing the overuse of the word ''just'' in business emails.
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And in kids.

"Just" is our kids favorite word.

"Time to turn off the computer!"
"OK but I just have to . . ."

"Time to put your shoes on."
"I will but I just have to . . ."

"What are you doing with the hammer?"
"I'm just . . ."
 
Seattle said:
I also notice that the UK version of "um" is "em":)
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Erm, not it's not. ;)
Honestly, I've literally never seen it spelt as "em" (prior to this thread). It is either "erm" or "um". And yes, I did just literally use the word "literally" in the correct way in the previous sentence. :)

As for "just"... it has a few meanings, depending on context.
wegs said:
'My firm is hopeful of just making an introduction...'' as opposed to ''My firm is hopeful of making an introduction.'' Both sentences seem fine, but the first one could come across as lacking confidence, I suppose.
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The first, where they use "just", might mean that that is the lowest expectation - and intended to mean as much. In this sense one might use "at least" instead.

"I've literally just said that to my Manager!" - "just" means "in the immediate past".

"That's just what our firm could do with!" - "just" means "exactly".

Could it come across as lacking confidence? Possibly, in some contexts.
 
Sarkus said:
Erm, not it's not. ;)
Honestly, I've literally never seen it spelt as "em" (prior to this thread). It is either "erm" or "um". And yes, I did just literally use the word "literally" in the correct way in the previous sentence. :)
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I didn't say anything about how it was spelled. I'm talking about the way it's pronounced and the way I've heard it from UK speakers is "em" more like "m".
 
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