We’ve all heard the phrase “just around the corner” tossed into conversation, on street signs, or in movie scripts. Despite its ubiquity, many people—students, writers, and even seasoned professionals—feel a nagging uncertainty about how, when, and where to deploy it correctly.
With years of instruction behind the Applied Grammar textbooks and countless writing workshops under my belt, I know exactly how to turn that fuzzy familiarity into confident, polished usage.
Curious? Stick with me and you’ll discover that mastering “just around the corner” is as straightforward as it is satisfying—ready to enrich your speech and your prose.
What Does “Just Around the Corner” Really Mean?
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Phrase | “Just around the corner” is a fixed idiom that signifies physical proximity—something is very near you, usually within a short walking distance. |
| Part of Speech | Adverbial prepositional phrase; functions as an adverb modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. |
| Function | Describes immediate, future, or nearby location, often used to create anticipation. |
In 200‑300 characters:
“Just around the corner” is an idiom meaning something is very near you; you’re within a short distance—almost ready to reach it. It works as an adverbial phrase indicating proximity or imminent arrival.
Why Rich Vocabulary Matters (and Why “Just Around the Corner” Is One of Them)
Language is a toolbox. The more specialized words and phrases you have, the better you can paint a picture, convey nuance, and keep your audience engaged.
Using idioms like “just around the corner” adds color, immediacy, and a touch of everyday authenticity to your writing—making everything feel real rather than scripted.
1. How to Use “Just Around the Corner” Correctly
Placement Rules
| Scenario | Placement | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| After the subject + verb | Example: “The bakery is just around the corner.” | Keeps rhythm natural; places emphasis on location. |
| At the end of a sentence | Example: “I’ll be there just around the corner.” | Builds suspense; the idea arrives climax. |
| Pause with commas (optional) | “We found the clue, just around the corner, in the hallway.” | Adds a dramatic beat that signals surprise. |
Tip: Avoid leading with the phrase unless you want to create dramatic effect.
“Just around the corner, the garden opened its doors.” It works, but feels more narrative.
Usage in Everyday Contexts
| Context | Example |
|---|---|
| Physical location | “The street to the pharmacy is just around the corner.” |
| Metaphorical | “Success is just around the corner if you keep pressing forward.” |
| Temporal | “The meeting starts in 10 minutes—just around the corner.” |
2. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Example | Correction | Why It Happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treating it as a noun phrase | “I’m heading to the just around the corner.” | Not needed. Just say, “I’m heading to the corner.” | Misunderstanding idiom vs. literal noun usage. |
| Over‑repetition | “It’s just around the corner, just around the corner, right?” | Use once or paraphrase: “It’s just close by.” | Tends to be redundant and unnatural. |
| Misplacing interrogatively | “Is just around the corner where the shop is?” | “Is the shop just around the corner?” | Wrong word order breaks flow. |
| Mixing up “corner” with “cornered” | “I’m just cornered by the traffic.” | “I’m just around the corner.” | Confusion between adjective vs. idiom. |
3. Similar Variations
| Variation | When to Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Right around the corner | Same meaning, slightly more formal. | “The café’s new menu is right around the corner.” |
| Just past the turn | Indicates upcoming location after a bend. | “The library is just past the turn on Elm Street.” |
| Almost at the corner | Emphasizes the idea of being very nearly there. | “We’re almost at the corner now.” |
| Near at hand | Slightly archaic; literary usage. | “The help is near at hand.” |
4. Structured Presentation Across Five Descriptive Categories
| Category | Sample Sentence | Just around the corner Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Personality Traits | “Her loving nature is just around the corner of her smile.” | Highlights a trait close to observation. |
| Physical Descriptions | “The petite billboard stands just around the corner.” | Blends size & proximity. |
| Role‑Based Descriptors | “The supportive volunteer is just around the corner waiting.” | Role + location. |
| Cultural/Background Adjectives | “The traditional festival is just around the corner of the town square.” | Cultural context + proximity. |
| Emotional Attributes | “Her encouraging words are just around the corner of the talk.” | Emotion + juggling. |
These examples demonstrate the phrase’s flexibility—it can frame any type of description, from tangible places to abstract states.
5. Demo: Proper Order When Using the Phrase Multiple Times
Incorrect: “Just around the corner, the shop is just around the corner, and the baker is just around the corner.”
Correct: “Just around the corner is the shop, the baker, and the little café—each one just around the corner from one another.”
Rule: When repeating the idiom, try a list format or re‑phrase to avoid flat repetition.
6. Tips for Success
- Use sparingly: Overuse can dilute meaning.
- Pair with context: Add details—“just around the corner, on Maple Avenue.”
- Keep tense consistent: It works best in present or future tense.
- Practice with realism: Write simple directions or informal notes.
- Listen to native usage: Spot it in podcasts, blogs, or conversation.
7. Grammar Instruction – Correct Positioning in Sentences
-
Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase
- He (subject) will (auxiliary) finish (verb) before (preposition) the coffee shop (noun) is just around the corner (phrase).
-
Adverbial at End (Norm)
- We’ll meet at noon, just around the corner.
-
Parenthetical Bracket
- The new office (just around the corner) is open next week.
Remember: the phrase functions as an adverb, modifying the action or description that follows.
8. Exercise Section
Fill‑in‑the‑Blank
| # | Sentence | Blank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The missing key is ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. | ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ |
| 2 | We’ll be there ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. | ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ |
| 3 | The museum opens on Tuesday, ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. | ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ |
Answer: 1. just around the corner 2. just around the corner 3. just around the corner
Error Correction
Original: “I’m heading to the just around the corner.”
Correct: “I’m heading to the corner, just around the corner.”
Why: The phrase can’t precede the noun; it should follow.
Identification
Read the paragraph below and underline every correct use of the idiom.
“We walked past the old library. The bookstore was just around the corner. After a short break at a park, we finally reached the coffee shop, just around the corner from the entrance.”
9. Final Takeaway
“Just around the corner” is more than a cliché—it’s a neatly packaged tool in your linguistic toolbox. By mastering when and where to sprinkle it, you’ll instantly elevate the clarity, urgency, and everyday feel of your prose. Keep it polished, context‑appropriate, and help your audience see that the answer to their questions is always within reach.
Remember, that answer is just around the corner.