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The word «only» is used often in common speech and in writing. If it’s used incorrectly, however, the listener or reader may have a hard time figuring out what is really meant. Avoid this confusion by properly using the word «only».

1
Keep in mind that «only» is a modifier. This means that it helps explain what you are trying to say and acts as a descriptive word in your sentence. «Only» can have a strong presence in a sentence and can change the meaning of the sentence if it’s used in the wrong place.^[1] To create a clear sentence, you should place «only» next to the noun, verb, or phrase you are trying to modify.
- When the word «only» is placed incorrectly in a sentence, it becomes a «misplaced modifier». This means the modifier («only») is not placed beside the noun or other word it is meant to modify. This can create confusion for the listener or reader, because the sentence becomes awkward, even misleading.^[2]
2
Be aware of the casual use of «only». You may notice that in everyday speech people tend to place «only» in the wrong place in a sentence, thus conveying nothing more than a general sense of what they are trying to say. As with certain other grammatical rules, it can feel awkward to use proper placement of a modifier in a casual conversation. Sometimes you won’t need to use «only» correctly for your listeners to understand what you mean.^[3]
- It’s important, however, to use the correct placement of «only» when writing a formal letter, a paper, or something for public consumption to ensure you do not confuse your reader.
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3
Notice the common misplacement of «only» in everyday speech. When we are talking informally we might use «only» to indicate that someone did just one thing. For example: «She only ate strawberries for dinner».^[4]
- In this sentence the speaker probably means to say that she had strawberries for dinner and nothing else. The speaker is trying to modify «strawberries» when, in fact, «only» is placed before (and thus modifies) the verb «ate». This implies that the subject in the sentence, «she», does nothing with the strawberries but eat them for dinner. She doesn’t pick them. She doesn’t prepare them. She just eats them.
- The correct placement of «only» in this sentence, based on the probable intended meaning, is: «She ate only strawberries for dinner». The modifier «only» is next to the noun it’s meant to modify and is now grammatically correct. At first, it can feel awkward to say this sentence out loud, because sentences like this are so often misspoken or miswritten. However, once you realize that the wrong sentence construction doesn’t mean what you want it to mean, the correctly constructed sentence will start to feel more comfortable.

1
Create examples of the different ways to use «only» in a sentence. The best way to get a sense of the proper use of the word «only» is to make your own «practice» sentences and note what «only» is modifying in each case.^[5]
- For example, consider these six different placements of «only» in the same sentence:
- «Only I like dancing at a party».
- «I only like dancing at a party».
- «I like only dancing at a party».
- «I like dancing only at a party».
- «I like dancing at only a party».
- «I like dancing at a party only».
2
Use «only» before a subject to modify the subject. For example: «Only I like dancing at a party». In this sentence, «only» is modifying the subject «I». You are saying that you («I») are the only person who likes to dance at a party.^[6]
- You could view this sentence another way: «Only John danced at the party». In this construction no one but John danced at the party. If this is the intended meaning, that John was the only dancer at the party, you would place «only» at the beginning of the sentence so that it modifies «John».
3
Place «only» before the verb in a sentence to modify the verb. For example: «I only like dancing at a party». In this sentence, «only» is modifying the verb «like». This sentence is saying that «I» is doing nothing other than liking dancing at a party. «I» isn’t praising, criticizing or ignoring dancing at a party, s/he is simply liking it. Using «only» to modify a verb is less common than using it to modify a noun or pronoun.^[7]
- The third «practice» sentence above — «I like only dancing at a party» — means that the person likes dancing and no other activities (talking, eating, etc) at a party.
- In the fourth sentence above, «only» could be seen as modifying «dancing» or «at a party». Because the distinction could be important, in speech you would have the option of orally stressing the word or words being modified.
- In the fifth sentence above, «only» modifies «a party», meaning no other location or event. This is a clearer usage than the fourth sentence.
- The final sentence above places «only» after «party». It more clearly expresses the same meaning as the previous sentence.
- You could look at these placements in a different situation or setting. For example: «John only cooks meat for his family». This sentence works if John is a vegetarian and does not buy, prepare, or eat meat. But when he is with his family, who are diehard meat-eaters, he will cook meat for them. In this case, the modifier is correctly placed, as the sentence indicates that John will cook meat for his family but not do anything else with the meat.
4
Use «only» before a second verb in a sentence to modify the second verb. For example: «I like only dancing at a party». In this sentence, «only» is modifying «dancing». («Dancing» in this case is a verb form known as a gerund, which acts as a noun.) This means that «I» like only one thing at a party — dancing — not talking, singing, chatting, or drinking.
- The use of «only» works better in a sentence that indicates the speaker does just one thing in a certain situation. For example: «I eat only vegetables». This sentence means that you consume vegetables but no meat or other food products. «I only eat vegetables,» on the other hand, means that you do nothing with vegetables except eat them.
  - While the above is academically true, so many people say, «I only eat…» when they mean, «I eat only…» — or similar phrases — it has become common and easily understood usage.
5
Place «only» before the ending phrase in a sentence to modify the phrase. For example: «I like dancing only at a party». In this example, «only» is modifying «at a party». This indicates that the speaker likes to dance when s/he is at a party and that s/he does not dance at any other time or place.^[8]
- You can look at this use of «only» another way: «John drinks scotch only with his dad». This sentence means that John drinks scotch with his dad and with no one else.
6
Adjust your use of «only» in your writing. Now that you have looked at the four different ways «only» can be used in a sentence, notice how you use «only» in your next essay, letter, or conversation.^[9]
- Remember to place «only» next to (usually before) the item you want to modify, so your meaning is not confusing or awkward for your reader or listener. Review the above examples to determine which placement of «only» best expresses your intended meaning.
7

Try searching your document (if it is on a word processor) for the word «only». Check that you are using the word correctly in each sentence. Adjust the placement of «only» if it causes a sentence’s meaning to be unclear.

Usage Cheat Sheet

Add New Question

Question

Which is correct: «I only use this bank account for the debt collector», or «I use only this account for the debt collector»?

The latter.
Question

When do we use «only» at the end of sentence?

When the «only» is meant to modify the noun or verb that immediately precedes it. For example, «I like dancing with you only» means the same as «I like dancing with only you.»
Question

What is the correct phrase to use: «I am left with $5 only,» or «I am only left with $5»?

Either way is OK, but people will understand your point more easily if you say, «I am left with only $5.»

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Article SummaryX

To use the word “only” correctly, place it directly before or after the noun, subject, or verb to make the meaning clear. For example, if you’re trying to say that someone ate 4 strawberries, you can say, “She ate only 4 strawberries.” On the other hand, if you want to say that someone ate strawberries and nothing else, you would say «She only ate 4 strawberries.» Additionally, you can use “only” in front of a subject, like “Only I,” or “Only John” to show that they’re the sole person performing the action. To learn how to use “only” correctly in a sentence with multiple verbs, keep reading.

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I am confused about using the word only. I often hear it being used in many contexts that sound wrong to me — but I’m not sure if it’s me or them.

Let me give some examples:

A: Where were you yesterday evening?
B: I was at the coffee house.
A: Hey, I was there only; how come we didn’t meet?

I guess the correct usage here would be I was also there or I was there too, right?

How about this:

A: Did you complete that task?
B: No, but I am doing that only

The word only is used here to stress on the fact that he is doing that (and not something else). I guess this usage stems from an equivalent usage in Hindi and other Indian languages. What’s the correct way to express this? I feel I am still working on that is not the same — it sounds more like I haven’t figured out how to do it, as opposed to this is a difficult task, it’ll take some time

Another one:

A: How many questions have you asked in this forum?
B: I have asked only one question.
C: I have asked one question only.

Who is correct — B or C?
I’m with B on this one, but I don’t know if C is correct too.

PS: In case you haven’t guessed it already, I’m not a native English speaker

nohat♦

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asked Oct 1, 2010 at 11:55

Example 1
seems to be legitimate Indian English, see

Something which Indian English has
that is not found in other varieties
of English is the use of only and
itself to emphasize time and place. It
comes from the Hindi word hi and
produces sentences like «I was in
Toledo only» and «Can we meet tomorrow
itself?»

extract from language in India

More discussion on ‘only’ in Indian English here Dustin Freeman

Example 2 is probably Indian English too. You could say you are concentrating on that task, if you wanted to be better understood by a foreign audience.

Example 3: either is correct, I would think the 2nd is more colloquial

I don’t think you be misunderstood with any of these colloquialisms. To me they are colourful additions to the language

answered Oct 1, 2010 at 14:34

cindicindi

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Only is an interesting word in that it can change the meaning of sentence depending on its placement. Take, for example, the sentence I love her. Putting only in all the different places in the sentence changes the meaning completely:

Only I love her: I am the only person that loves her.

I only love her: Love is the only feeling I have for her, nothing else.

I love only her: She is the only person I love.

I love her only: Same as the previous.

Back to the question at hand, I agree with both other posters that #1 is wrong, #2 is correct but awkward, and #3 is correct either way.

I would correct #2 by saying, «I am only doing that» or «I am only working on that.» In conversation, I would probably stress it with, «I am only working on that—nothing else.»

RegDwigнt

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answered Oct 1, 2010 at 14:19

michaelkossmichaelkoss

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I agree with Midhat that #1 is completely wrong and #3 is fine either way. (For #3, answer C is less common and sounds very slightly stilted or overly formal, but still grammatically unobjectionable.)

For #2, I would say, «I am working on that exclusively.» Meaning: I am not finished with that task, but I have made it my highest (and only) priority and will work on nothing else until it is finished.

answered Oct 1, 2010 at 13:54

DougDoug

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The first instance looks plain wrong. Maybe the speaker wanted to Say I was there only yesterday, which can imply I was also there yesterday

#2 seems correct

#3 seems correct either way

answered Oct 1, 2010 at 12:19

MidhatMidhat

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Change the punctuation on #1 and it becomes

Hey, I was there; only how come we didn't meet?

The speaker is saying, I was there, too, but since I didn’t see you, either there are special circumstances (you were wearing a disguise and hiding in a dark corner, or you popped in and out for only a minute), or you weren’t really there and I’ve blown your alibi.

answered Oct 1, 2010 at 16:32

kajacokajaco

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Источник

Although the SBLHS blog does not often venture into issues of English composition per se, correct word usage and clear sentence construction are both key components of good style and thus worthy of occasional comment. In that spirit, this modest post highlights the improper and proper placement of the word only.

Consider, for example, the following example (Bernstein 1965, 316):

I hit him in the eye yesterday.

The adjective and adverb only can legitimately be used in eight different positions in this simple sentence, producing eight different meanings.

Only I hit him in the eye yesterday.

I only hit him in the eye yesterday.

I hit only him in the eye yesterday.

I hit him only in the eye yesterday.

I hit him in only the eye yesterday.

I hit him in the only eye yesterday.

I hit him in the eye only yesterday.

I hit him in the eye yesterday only.

Obviously, the placement of only in a sentence is significant, and clear writers will be careful to place only where it actually modifies the target word. In most cases (the final sentence above represents an exception), “only emphasizes the word or phrase that immediately follows it” (CMS 5.186). The following examples (revised sentences from a forthcoming issue of JBL) illustrate common misplacements of only and explain how the alternate placements alter a sentence’s meaning.

The technical term for the sacrificial slaughter of animals only occurs here in Judges.

The technical term for the sacrificial slaughter of animals occurs only here in Judges.

The first version states that the term in question is a Hebrew Bible hapax legomenon that appears in Judges; the second version indicates that a common term in the Hebrew Bible appears one time in Judges.

Lexical ambiguity only exists when the context does not demarcate a word’s intended sense.

Lexical ambiguity exists only when the context does not demarcate a word’s intended sense.

The first version hints that ambiguity and nothing else exists when context does not demarcate a word’s intended sense; the second version states that lexical ambiguity exists when a stated condition exists: the context does not demarcate a word’s intended sense.

Some sites only evidence partial destruction focused on the city gate.

Some sites evidence only partial destruction focused on the city gate.

The first version implies that these sites evidence only one thing: partial destruction; the second version highlights the degree of destruction evidenced in some sites: it is partial. This change in meaning is admittedly subtle, but the second version focuses the reader’s attention on the key element of the statement (the partial nature of the destruction) and thus can be judged the clearer formulation.

Jephthah’s six years are tangentially related only to the periods of the minor judges.

Jephthah’s six years are only tangentially related to the periods of the minor judges.

The first sentence states that Jephthah’s six years are related to the periods of the minor judges and to nothing else; the second, by contrast, characterizes the nature of the relation: Jephthah’s six years are not closely related to the periods of the minor judges.

Captivity is only associated with the term exile when it involves physical displacement.

Captivity is associated with the term exile only when it involves physical displacement.

The first sentence suggests an exclusive relationship between captivity and exile; that is, in the stated circumstances, captivity is associated with exile and nothing else. The second sentence is more narrowly and precisely phrased: captivity is associated with exile when one condition is met: physical displacement is involved.

As reflected in these made-up examples, a common misplacement is positioning only in front of the verb when it is intended to modify what comes after the verb, as in “only occurs” versus “occurs only,” “only exists” versus “exists only,” and “only evidence” versus “evidence only.” Whenever you wish to use the word only, then, pause for a second and ask yourself what it is modifying. Once you know the answer to that question, the proper placement should be obvious.

Work Cited

Bernstein, Theodore M. 1965. The Careful Writer: A Modern Guide to English Usage. New York: Atheneum.

Источник

Hello there,

I would like to know if the word «only» can be used with «now«,»today», «tomorrow«, «next month«,»yesterday» and «a few minues ago» in the contexts below.

==>I was told about what happened only today.
==>You shouldn’t have told me only now,you should have told me before.
==>You’ll have the results only tomorrow.
==>The meeting will take place only next month.
==>I heard about it only yesterday.
==>They reported it to the police only a few minutes ago.

The context

of «only now»,»only today»,»only tomorrow»,»only yesterday»,»only next month» and «only a few minutes ago»

Not before

now,today,tomorrow,yesterday,a few minutes ago.

Thank you very much in advance!

Last edited: Jul 28, 2010

==>I was told about what happened ~~only~~ just today.
==>You shouldn’t have told me ~~only~~ just now,you should have told me before.
==>You’ll have the results ~~only~~ by tomorrow.
==>The meeting will only take place ~~only~~ next month.
==>I heard about it only yesterday.
==>They reported it to the police only a few minutes ago.

The answer is simple enough. Only can be used to modify now«,»today», «tomorrow«, «next month«,»yesterday» and «a few minues ago» in the contexts which you have recited.

Loob

Last edited: Jul 29, 2010

Totally agree with watercanyon, the way Xavier and Loob wrote the sentences is not right, «only» cannot be used in this format.

Loob,

Let me explain:

You’ll have the results only tomorrow.(=Don’t expect to have the results today,they will only come out tomorrow,not before.)

I think the sentence «The meeting will only take place next month» is better.(=The meeting will not take place before next month.)

Thank you very much!

Last edited: Jul 28, 2010

Loob

Totally agree with watercanyon, the way Xavier and Loob wrote the sentences is not right, «only» cannot be used in this format.

? :confused:
No doubt you can give a fuller explanation, ramaya

Myridon

I’m somewhere in between on this:

This may be a difference in BE and AE. My changes are what would be common usage in American common speech.

?
No doubt you can give a fuller explanation, ramaya

Ok Loob,

In English the word «only» is substituted by the word «just» in the phrases like the ones we are looking at, here. The reason for this, is only because, the word «only» does not sound right on these sentences.

Loob

It sounds right to me in the ones I’ve marked :tick: , ramaya.

Bevj

Allegra Moderata (Sp/Eng, Cat)

Loob’s interpretation sounds right to me too.
In my opinion, ‘only today’ is another way of saying ‘as recently as today’, and ‘only’ in this usage can only (sorry ) refer to something which has already happened. Therefore I agree with Loob that ‘only tomorrow’ and ‘only next month’ aren’t correct.

Edit: It’s another matter entirely if you say ‘only tomorrow’ meaning ‘tomorrow is the sole possible day on which XXX can happen’.

It sounds right to me in the ones I’ve marked , ramaya.

As watercanyon mentioned, in the US, they do not speak as you may in England. In this case is a matter of region England/USA

Loob’s interpretation sounds right to me too.
In my opinion, ‘only today’ is another way of saying ‘as recently as today’, and ‘only’ in this usage can only (sorry ) refer to something which has already happened. Therefore I agree with Loob that ‘only tomorrow’ and ‘only next month’ aren’t correct.

Edit: It’s another matter entirely if you say ‘only tomorrow’ meaning ‘tomorrow is the sole possible day on which XXX can happen’.

In the United States when it is referred to recent events, is more commonly use the word «just» The word «only» is more commonly used when and event will only happen one time.

In certain contents, some of these don’t sound as odd as they do all alone.

«You’ll have the results only tomorrow. I must have them back before midnight.»

That doesn’t sound that unusual.

To me, the sentences about future time require a rather literal interpretation of only:

You’ll have the results only tomorrow. = You’ll only have/get the results tomorrow. :tick:
The meeting will take place only next month. = The meeting will only take place next month. :tick:

«Only» in these two sentences says essentially that you will have to wait.

In the other sentences, «only» says we have, perhaps, been waiting on pins and needles, but it does not say we have to wait any more.

These other sentences are ambiguous, I suppose, but they seem to use only to modify what follows in a special sense: to indicate that the interval from the time in question until «this very moment» is short, that the time in question is quite recent:

only today = just today.
Something happened just today. = Something happened very recently, today actually.

only now = just now.
You told me something just now. = You told me something very recently, now even.

only yesterday = just yesterday.
I heard about something just yesterday. = I heard about something very recently, yesterday in fact.

only a few minutes ago = just a few minutes ago.
They reported something just a few minutes ago. = They reported something very recently, a few minutes ago actually.

«Yesterday», «today», «a few minutes ago», and «now» can be considered recent times, but not «tomorrow» or «next month»:

Very recently, tomorrow in fact.
Very recently, next month in fact.
You’ll have the results recently.
The meeting will take place recently.

Источник

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.

На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.

единственное слово n

единственным словом

только слово

лишь одно слово

одно-единственное слово

единственного слова

только одно слово

Предложения

Amazing is the only word I can use.

I don’t know how I’ll feel tomorrow, but tonight the only word that describes me is lucky.

Не знаю, как буду себя чувствовать завтра, но сегодня единственное слово, описывающее меня, это удачливая.

Not unless it’s the only word that fits.

The only word in my head is ‘SHAME’.

THE only word that describes you.

And the only word that came to mind was harmony.

The only word that counts is that of who really strikes.

Единственное слово, которое имеет значение, — это те, которые конкретно наносят удар.

This is the only word of their language recorded from antiquity.

After thousands of scientists have studied it for centuries, the only word to describe it remains: «amazing».

После столетий изучения тысячами ученых, единственное слово для его описания это: «изумительно».

That’s the only word that I can use, because there are so many things one can say about.

Это единственное слово, которое Я могу использовать, по этому поводу можно сказать так много.

Freedom is the only word which has a ring of immediate truth today.

Слово «свобода» — это единственное слово, которое в наши дни может звучать непосредственной истиной.

Addictive is the only word I have to describe this game.

Небрежность — вот единственное слово, которым можно охарактеризовать нашу игру.

That’s the only word I keep thinking of.

That’s just the only word that he knows.

Glorious, yes glorious is the only word for it.

That was the only word he understood.

The only word that would probably fit this experience is «amazing».

Единственное слово, которое подходит для такого эксперимента — «удивительно».

Thats the only word i could think of.

That’s the only word that comes close to it.

The hand looks strong, but… sophisticated is the only word that comes to mind.

Кисть выглядит сильной, но одновременно… утонченной — вот единственное слово, которое приходит мне в голову.

Ничего не найдено для этого значения.

Предложения, которые содержат only word

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Adjective

the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it

that is the only possible right answer

Adverb

She had been there only twice in her life.

There are only two more weeks until summer vacation.

It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

Do you really have to leave? It’s only eight o’clock.

He was only a baby when his father died.

Leave her alone. She’s only a kid.

The building is only about 10 years old.

It was quiet in the room, but only for a moment.

She is only partly to blame.

The club is for women only.

Conjunction

I’d love to sing along, only I don’t know the words.

They did have a radio, only it was broken.

We wanted to buy that painting, only it was far too expensive.

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The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only.

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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘only.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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NirmalPriyaVishnu

Posted:
Thursday, July 26, 2012 2:12:05 AM

Rank: Advanced Member

Joined: 3/29/2011
Posts: 135
Neurons: 540
Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Question: Who asked you to change the password?
Answer: Nirmal only
Or
Nirmal

I noticed most of my friends are using the word only very often.
Is this correct usage or not?

Posted:
Thursday, July 26, 2012 3:17:33 AM

Rank: Advanced Member

Joined: 10/13/2011
Posts: 5,107
Neurons: 16,440

It would depend on the context.

If there was one person/organisation asking you, you would say,»Nirmal».

If there was a possibility of a number of people/organisations, you could say either «Only Nirmal», or just «Nirmal».

Posted:
Thursday, July 26, 2012 4:31:59 AM

Rank: Member

Joined: 12/13/2011
Posts: 62
Neurons: 189
Location: India

As Briton stated it would depend on the context.

When the answer is

Nirmal — The person who asked to change the password is Nirmal

Nirmal only — This could mean, This time also Nirmal has asked to change the password.

only Nirmal — Only Nirmal has asked to change the password, nobody else

————————
‘Once the game is over the king and the pawn go back in the same box’

Posted:
Thursday, July 26, 2012 10:11:20 AM

Rank: Advanced Member

Joined: 6/14/2009
Posts: 18,351
Neurons: 59,731
Location: Brighton, England, United Kingdom

I’m not sure I agree with Pacific P.

‘ Nirmal only’ is not a construction that would come naturally to native speakers. The usual usage would be ‘only Nirmal.’

Posted:
Friday, July 27, 2012 1:48:38 AM

Rank: Advanced Member

Joined: 9/2/2011
Posts: 7,902
Neurons: 231,341
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Hi ramannirmal, you have posted a bit of conversation here and therefore formal rules are flouted. While I agree with PP, I have the following suggestion: If Nirmal is the boss and if one of his colleagues asks another as to who asked for change of the PW, the latter should normally say «Nirmal himself«.

Cheers!

Posted:
Friday, July 27, 2012 2:04:14 AM

Rank: Newbie

Joined: 7/27/2012
Posts: 1
Neurons: 3
Location: United States, IL

it’s amazing!

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Top Definitions
Synonyms
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Examples
British
Idioms And Phrases

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

adverb

without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively: This information is for your eyes only.

no more than; merely; just: If it were only true! I cook only on weekends.

as recently as: I read that article only yesterday.

in the final outcome or decision: You will only regret your harsh words to me.

adjective

being the single one or the relatively few of the kind: This is the only pencil I can find.

having no sibling or no sibling of the same sex: an only child; an only son.

single in superiority or distinction; unique; the best: the one and only Muhammad Ali.

conjunction

but (introducing a single restriction, restraining circumstance, or the like): I would have gone, only you objected.

Older Use. except; but: Only for him you would not be here.

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Idioms about only

only too,

as a matter of fact; extremely: I am only too glad to go.
unfortunately; very: It is only too likely to happen.

Origin of only

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English ānlich, ǣnlich; see one, -ly

usage note for only

The placement of only as a modifier is more a matter of style and clarity than of grammatical rule. In a sentence like The doctor examined the children, varying the placement of only results in quite different meanings: The doctor only examined the children means that the doctor did nothing else. And The doctor examined only the children means that no one else was examined. Especially in formal writing, the placement of only immediately before what it modifies is often observed: She sold the stock only because she needed the money. However, there has long been a tendency in all varieties of speech and writing to place only before the verb ( She only sold the stock because she needed the money ), and such placement is rarely confusing.

Words nearby only

onliner, online thesaurus, onload, onlooker, onlooking, only, only-begotten, only too, on-message, on-mike, onnagata

Words related to only

alone, entirely, hardly, merely, particularly, purely, simply, solely, but, just, apart, by oneself, exclusive, individual, isolated, lone, matchless, once in a lifetime, one, one and only

How to use only in a sentence

Her striking new, vinyl-only single once again confirms St. Vincent’s idiosyncratic talent.
One winter night, Posho Wembore sneaked into the exclusive whites-only club of the Hotel Pourquoi Pas?
The monogamous or safe-only gay man is a far safer bet than the unprotected hetero swinger.
It was just what Berners-Lee had envisioned, a Web that was read-write rather than read-only.

His supporters hosted a men-only fundraiser with this admonition on the invitation: “Tell the misses not to wait up.”
In Captain Joseph Pelham’s mind there was only-one answer to this question,—that the lad should come to him.
In the first place the boys all spoke to him in that specially offensive you’re-only-a-little-kid sort of way.
He called Murgatroyd, placed him before the communicator, and set it at voice-only transmission.
If I had only had a pistol I would have shot him, but boy scouts don’t carry pistols-only in crazy story books.
She’d be hopeless in a sick-room; and this is a real keep-your-distance, Sundays-only sick-room, ain’t it, Sarah Gamp?

British Dictionary definitions for only

adjective (prenominal)

the only being single or very few in numberthe only men left in town were too old to bear arms

(of a child) having no siblings

unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless

one and only

(adjective) incomparable; unique
(as noun) the object of all one’s loveyou are my one and only

adverb

without anyone or anything else being included; aloneyou have one choice only; only a genius can do that

merely or justit’s only Henry

no more or no greater thanwe met only an hour ago

Irish (intensifier)she was only marvellous; it was only dreadful

used in conditional clauses introduced by if to emphasize the impossibility of the condition ever being fulfilledif I had only known, this would never have happened

not earlier than; not…untilI only found out yesterday

if only an expression used to introduce a wish, esp one felt to be unrealizable

only if never…except when

only too

(intensifier)he was only too pleased to help
most regrettably (esp in the phrase only too true)

sentence connector

but; however: used to introduce an exception or conditionplay outside: only don’t go into the street

Word Origin for only

Old English ānlīc, from ān one + -līc -ly ²

usage for only

In informal English, only is often used as a sentence connector: I would have phoned you, only I didn’t know your number. This use should be avoided in formal writing: I would have phoned you if I’d known your number. In formal speech and writing, only is placed directly before the word or words that it modifies: she could interview only three applicants in the morning. In all but the most formal contexts, however, it is generally regarded as acceptable to put only before the verb: she could only interview three applicants in the morning. Care must be taken not to create ambiguity, esp in written English, in which intonation will not, as it does in speech, help to show to which item in the sentence only applies. A sentence such as she only drinks tea in the afternoon is capable of two interpretations and is therefore better rephrased either as she drinks only tea in the afternoon (i.e. no other drink) or she drinks tea only in the afternoon (i.e. at no other time)

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with only

In addition to the idioms beginning with only

only game in town, the
only too

also see:

beauty is only skin deep
have an eye (eyes only) for
if only
in name only
not the only fish in the sea
one and only

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So I’m sorry but I must ask this:

Have you guys ever noticed the usage of the word only in an unusual way by Indians, especially our southern brethren? Statements like:

«I only told you to do that»
«That is only why I was saying that, sir»
«You only insisted on buying that, no?»

That «only» during usage in these types of sentences is preceded by an additional emphasis on the words preceding it and the word «only» itself has a bit of a peculiar tone to it and is grouped tightly with the words preceding it when spoken. These statements are also generally very polite/friendly in tone.

I have lived in the Americas and Europe and I’ve never heard of the word «only» being used anywhere else like this. It’s like they try to emphasize it by attempting to find an equivalent to their local language. The closest equivalent I can think of in hindi would be, «Maine hi bola tha tujhe aisa karne ko» and that «hi» is probably what they’re trying to compensate for with the usage of «only».

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this too?

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What is the difference between the following sentences? Basically, I would like to understand how the meaning changes with the usage of only in each of them.

He only speaks English.

He speaks only English.

He speaks English only.

Answer

Only the trees were somewhat damaged
by last year’s storm.

Meaning: Nothing except the trees was somewhat damaged by last year’s storm.

The only trees were somewhat damaged by last year’s storm.

Meaning: The few trees which existed were somewhat damaged by last year’s storm.

The trees were only somewhat damaged by last year’s storm.

Meaning: The trees were not completely damaged by last year’s storm.

The trees were somewhat damaged only by last year’s storm.

Meaning: The trees were somewhat damaged by nothing except last year’s storm.

The trees were somewhat damaged by last year’s only storm.

Meaning: The trees were somewhat damaged by the one storm which occurred last year.

Source

Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Prabhu R , Answer Author : bman

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