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a. There's (just) a lot going on right now.

Without 'just', I think (a) means

b. "A lot is going on right now"

rather than

c. "A lot that's going on exists right now".

Right?

Now, if we add 'just' back in (a), where do we put 'just' in (b)?

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(c) doesn't make any sense to me. (a) only works in the sense "The only thing is, there is a lot going on right now" (as an excuse for being too busy to do something).

I differ from DialFrost in thinking that just here means 'simply, only' rather than 'recently'.

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  • Thanks. So you can't really put 'just' in (b)?
    – listeneva
    Aug 31, 2022 at 12:22
  • No, it wouldn't make sense.
    – Kate Bunting
    Aug 31, 2022 at 12:50
  • Thanks. The only way I can think of is It's just that a lot is going on right now. Of course, this is adding more than just just, but does this convey the same meaning?
    – listeneva
    Aug 31, 2022 at 13:16
  • I would consider that the most natural way of expressing it.
    – Kate Bunting
    Aug 31, 2022 at 14:17

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