"it had just happened" vs "it just had happened"

Question

"it had just happened" vs "it just had happened"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It had just happened' is more commonly used and emphasizes the recency of the event. 'It just had happened' is less common and may be used for emphasis or in a specific stylistic context.

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

This phrase is used to describe an event that occurred very recently in the past. The word 'just' emphasizes the immediacy of the action.

Examples:

I arrived at the scene just after it had just happened.
She had just finished her homework when the power went out.
The accident had just happened when the ambulance arrived.
It had just happened, so I missed seeing it.
He had just left when you called.

Alternatives:

it had recently happened
it had just occurred
it had just taken place
it had just transpired
it had just unfolded

This phrase can be used to place emphasis on the timing of an event or to create a specific stylistic effect. It is less commonly used than 'it had just happened.'

Examples:

It just had happened, and there was nothing we could do about it.
She looked at me as if it just had happened yesterday.
The news of the victory just had happened when the celebrations began.
It just had happened, and I was still processing it.
The realization just had happened, and I was stunned.

Alternatives:

it had just happened
it had recently happened
it had just occurred
it had just taken place
it had just transpired

Answer 1

it had just happened

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the recency of an event.

Answer 2

it just had happened

This phrase is correct but less common in everyday usage. It may be used for emphasis or in specific stylistic contexts.

"it had just happened" vs "it just had happened"

it had just happened

it just had happened

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