Difference in meaning: He was sitting just (just sitting) by the grave

[Ms.Unique]

Explain the difference in meaning between the following pairs of sentences.

(1) a. He was sitting just by the grave.
b. He was just sitting by the grave.

(2) a. Would you mind opening the window?
b. Open the window!

(3) a. "You look tired!
"Yes, I've been working non-stop all day."
b. "You look tired!
"Yes, I was working non-stop until seven o'clock!"

(4) a. Have you seen "Die Hard 2"?
b. Did you see "Die Hard 2"?

(5) a. When I arrived at the airport the plane left.
b. When I arrived at the airport the plane had left.

[Molly]

He was sitting just by the grave. = Can have two meanings: sitting nowhere else or sitting near the grave.
He was just sitting by the grave. = Also can have two meanings: he had very recently arrived at the grave or he was sitting and doing nothing else

Would you mind opening the window? Normally seen as a polite request.
Open the window! An order or an urgent need for action. Without the exclamation mark, it could be used as a suggestion.

"You look tired!
"Yes, I've been working non-stop all day." The working day may not be over.

"You look tired!
"Yes, I was working non-stop until seven o'clock!" The working day is over.

Have you seen "Die Hard 2"? In general, British English.
Did you see "Die Hard 2"? In general, American English if meaning the same as above. Can be British English if the film is no longer in the cinemas, for example.

When I arrived at the airport the plane left. The plane left after I arrived.
When I arrived at the airport the plane had left. The plane left before I arrived.

[Haihao]

[Molly]

[Ms.Unique]

Thank you very much Molly.
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[Yankee]

[Molly]

[Molly]