Just vs You are fair and brave

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Just

Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb

You are fair and brave

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Just
 JustYou are fair and brave
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/dʒʌst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dʒʌst/"]/🇬🇧 //jʊ ɑː fɛə ənd breɪv//🇺🇸 //ju ɑr fɛr ənd breɪv//
MeaningOnly or exactly.You are just and courageous.
ExampleI just finished my homework.You are fair and brave in making decisions that help others.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelA1-
Part of speechadverb
Collocationsjust finished, just in case, just a momentfair judgment, brave decision, fair treatment, brave actions, fair play
Antonymsunjust, unfair-
Common mistakesConfused with 'fair' meaning just/balanced., Overused in formal contexts., Misplaced 'just' leading to unclear sentences.Incorrectly use 'fair' to mean 'just' in non-legal contexts., Overuse 'brave' when referring to minor challenges., Confuse 'fair' with 'fairly' in meaning.
Usage notesUse 'just' to indicate something that is recent or to emphasize that something is the only thing or the most simple example. It might be informal or casual when used in conversations.Use this phrase to compliment someone who is just and courageous. Suitable in various contexts, like discussions or speeches.

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You are fair and brave

Frequently asked questions: Just vs You are fair and brave

What's the difference between Just and You are fair and brave?

Just: Only or exactly. You are fair and brave: You are just and courageous.

Which is more common: Just and You are fair and brave?

Just is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Just: I just finished my homework. You are fair and brave: You are fair and brave in making decisions that help others.

Can I use Just and You are fair and brave interchangeably?

Not always. Just and You are fair and brave are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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