[Grammar] I can just imagine what he is going

[NAL123]

Consider these sentences, please:

1) I can just imagine what he is going through.

2) I can imagine what he is going through.

Question: If I were to backshift 1 and 2, how would I backshift them, like this?

3) I could just imagine what he was going through OR I could've just imagined what he was going through.

4) I could imagine what he was going through OR I could've imagined what he was going through.

 

[teechar]

3) I could just imagine what he was going through.
4) I could imagine what he was going through.

Use those.

 

[NAL123]

What's the difference between 1 and 2?

1) I can just imagine what he is going through.

2) I can only imagine what he is going through.

 

[teechar]

Probably little or no difference.