Writing Tip: Eliminate Most Occurrences of "Just"

Why make this change?

“Just” is one of those extra words that we often use in speech, but serves to clutter your writing. It’s not grammatically incorrect in most instances, but this is not about grammar. It’s about good clean writing.

There are certainly times to use it. It implies a short time, or a short distance:

He just left.
Just under his chin.

It also means “only,” or “simply.”

He just wanted a new car.
She just wanted to be left alone.

But most of the time you don’t need it, or could repla...