just now

Meaning

Refers to a very recent moment in the past, usually only a few seconds or minutes ago. It is commonly used with the past simple tense in standard English. In some regional dialects, like South African English, it can also mean 'in a little while', but in global English, it almost always refers to the immediate past.

Examples

• I saw Sarah just now in the hallway; she was looking for you.

  I saw Sarah just now in the hallway; she was looking for you.

• Did you hear that noise just now, or was it just my imagination?

  Did you hear that noise just now, or was it just my imagination?

• I finished reading your email just now, and I'll reply shortly.

  I finished reading your email just now, and I'll reply shortly.

• He called me just now to say he's going to be ten minutes late.

  He called me just now to say he's going to be ten minutes late.

• The rain stopped just now, so we can finally go for our walk.

  The rain stopped just now, so we can finally go for our walk.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have seen him just now.

  ✓ I saw him just now.

  Because 'just now' refers to a finished, specific point in past time, it is typically used with the past simple tense rather than the present perfect tense.

• ✗ He arrived before just now.

  ✓ He arrived just now.

  Adding 'before' is redundant and grammatically incorrect because 'just now' already functions as a complete time adverbial meaning 'a moment ago'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I finished my homework ___ so I can play video games now.

  💡 A very short moment ago

  Show answer

  just now

• Who was that on the phone ___? Was it your sister?

  💡 Just a second ago

  Show answer

  just now