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Grammar
The use of
Only
In answer to the tough question about the most appropriate use of "only"in a grammatically, syntactically and semantically correct sentence, I'll try toconcentrate more on how the placement of only in the sentence is meaningcontrolling. In other words, the use of only as a modifier of a word should beplaced directly before the word or clause to be modified."Only" is so disturbing as a modifier because its placement in theutterance counts much to the meaning you want to convey. Be it an "adjective" oran "adverb", the word "Only" could affect the meaning of what you want to sayif you don't carefully use it in your statement. As an adjective, "only" is almostcontrollable; but all the trouble which comes from "only" is only when it is usedas an adverb. "This is my only child": this implies that I have no other childrenand "only" here is used as an adjective. Thus, there is no problem at all. Stillwhich is correct then: Is it, "IT'S ONLY ME!" or is it, "IT'S ONLY I!"?According to grammarians, it is the second. But most people use the first on thebasis that, "A mistaken sentence that makes me understood is better that acorrect sentence that makes a jerk of me"; what a mess!
Oooonlyyyyy youuuuuuuuu
:
1. Only Susan drank a cup of tea.
This simply indicates that nobody else did but only Susan.
Examples:
* Only you could solve this problem.* Only Peter is able to use this computer.* Only my mother makes good cakes.* Only Ali is going with us to Marrakech.
1
Though we feel it is final, definite or even exaggerated when "only"precedes the subject intending to modify it, this means that we want ourlistener or reader to understand that the subject be it (Susan, you, Peter or mymother as in the examples above) could do the deeds (actions) attributed tothem but nobody else. 2. Susan only drank a glass of tea.
This means that she didn't do anything else but drank.
Examples
* She only reads the headlines.* We are only looking at the items.* They only checked their e-mails and left.* Johnny only said "Hello" and sat down
.
When "only" precedes the verb, this implies that the listener or reader ismeant to understand that the subject be it (She, we, They or Johnny as in theexamples above) did but only the deeds (actions) stated in the sentences.3. Susan drank only a glass of tea.
which means that she didn't drink another.
Examples
* Leila played only tennis.* The guests ate only vegetables.* They accepted only signed papers.* Vicky took only one aspirin.
When "only" follows the verb, this means that you cannot ask the subjectto do something else except the one or ones mentioned after “only”. That’s tosay that you cannot ask Leila to play another game as she plays only but tennis.As well, you wouldn’t invite the guests to share your barbeque because they arevegetarians and so on. 4. Susan drank a glass of tea only.
which means that she didn't drink a cup of coffee or something else.
Examples:
* Leila plays tennis only.* The guests eat vegetables only.* They accept signed papers only.* Vicky takes the bus only for her errands.
2
When "only" is final, the meaning depends on many other factors such asintonation, tone and emphasis. We previously mentioned the sentence, “It’s myonly child” and we said that “only” is used here as an adjective and it implicatesthat the speaker has only but that “unique” son. Now, someone did a blunder andsomeone else came and said, “It’s a boy only!” He projected to state that it isnot harmful as the go-getter is only but someone not to be taken critically.Despite the fact that it seems a far fetched way of saying it, this utterance islikely to be most expressed by non-native speakers.“The club is for old people only”. There is exception here. Nobody isallowed in the club except for old people. Only old people are admissible. “Only”here modifies the word before it, notably “old people”.
QUIZ ME!
What is meant by these sentences? Copy down the appropriateexplanation in the blanks
.1. Only John bought a book. _______________________________ 2. John only bought a book. _______________________________ 3. John bought only a book. _______________________________ 4. John bought a book only. _______________________________
•
He didn't do anything else.
•
He didn't buy anything else
•
He didn't buy a pencil.
•
Nobody else bought a book.
Key page 4
Annotations
Generally speaking some of the examples above are far fetched andsometimes overstated. Any slight misplacement of “only” would prompt adisaster as far as meaning is concerned; therefore you should always try toavoid using most of them if you are not sure. There are other ways to say thesame thing without too much care for preventing any possible misunderstandinga sentence with 'only' would bring about. I advise you to push 'only' towardsmodifying the exact word in the sentence as a safe way to make your messageclear and void of any ambiguity possible. Be careful as to what word ‘only’ is usedto modify. See what I mean. Can you say which of the following utterancesconveys the meaning intended properly?!
3
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