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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 • 7073 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.

Show examples from the web [+]

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.

Show examples from the web [+]

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

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