TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

Our experts

i was just joking vs i was joking

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "I was just joking" implies that the joking was recent or immediate, while "I was joking" simply states that joking occurred at some point in the past.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 7034 views

i was just joking

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that the joking was recent or immediate, often to clarify that a statement was not meant seriously.

Examples:

  • I didn't mean to offend you. I was just joking.
  • Don't take it seriously. I was just joking around.
  • I was just joking!" If Alice's suggestion had reminded Bob of a different idea instead, that's a Eureka Moment. If Alice suggests a course of action that Bob actually ...
  • ... was just a joke but the satirical intention got lost. Also see Parody Retcon for when this is applied to entire works. Not to be confused with I Was Just Joking.
  • So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and when it is known, says, “I was just joking.” GOD'S WORD® Translation so is the person who tricks his neighbor ...
  • is the one who ·tricks [deceives] a neighbor and then says, “I was just joking.” GNV ... A person shouldn't trick his neighbor and then say, “I was just joking!

Alternatives:

  • I was only joking
  • I was just kidding
  • I was just messing around

i was joking

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is a simple statement that joking occurred at some point in the past, without emphasizing recency.

Examples:

  • I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I was joking.
  • She thought I was serious, but I was just joking.
  • The I Was Just Joking trope as used in popular culture. This line results from a conversation between unequally genre blind characters. Basically, Alice says …
  • Estoy bromeando, quise hacer un chiste. I was joking because of what we talked about yesterday. Sólo bromeaba sobre lo que hablamos ayer. Stop it, Darling.
  • TRUMP: I was joking when I said the Chinese 'created' the concept of climate change. Colin Campbell. 9h; 2,280; 13 · facebook · linkedin · twitter; email; print.
  • 1 day ago ... I was joking about Neymar signing for Real Madrid - Carlos. Getty. Featured. La Liga · Barcelona confirm NO Messi injury. Related Stories ...

Alternatives:

  • I joked
  • I made a joke
  • I was kidding

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9TextRanch on TrustPilot).

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!