—Usage note 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.
Alone in kind or class; sole: an only child; the only one left.
Standing alone by reason of superiority or excellence.
adv.
Without anyone or anything else; alone: room for only one passenger.
At the very least: If you would only come home. The story was only too true.
And nothing else or more: I only work here.
In the last analysis or final outcome: actions that will only make things worse.
With the final result; nevertheless: received a raise only to be laid off.
As recently as: called me only last month.
In the immediate past: only just saw them.
Exclusively; solely: facts known only to us.
In the last analysis or final outcome: actions that will only make things worse.
With the final result; nevertheless: received a raise only to be laid off.
As recently as: called me only last month.
In the immediate past: only just saw them.
As recently as: called me only last month.
In the immediate past: only just saw them.
conj.
Were it not that; except.
With the restriction that; but: You may go, only be careful.
However; and yet: The merchandise is well made, only we can't use it.
[Middle English, from Old English ānlīc : ān, one; see one + -līc, having the form of; see -ly1.]
Usage Note: When used as an adverb, only should be placed with care to avoid ambiguity. Generally this means having only adjoin the word or words that it limits. Variation in the placement of only can change the meaning of the sentence, as the following examples show: Dictators respect only force; they are not moved by words. Dictators only respect force; they do not worship it. She picked up the receiver only when he entered, not before. She only picked up the receiver when he entered; she didn't dial the number. Though strict grammarians insist that the rule for placement of only should always be followed, there are occasions when placement of only earlier in the sentence seems much more natural, and if the context is sufficiently clear, there is no chance of being misunderstood. In the following example only is placed according to the rule: The committee can make its decision by Friday of next week only if it receives a copy of the latest report. Placement of only earlier in the sentence, immediately after can, would warn the reader that a condition on the statement follows. See Usage Note at not.
O.E. ænlic, anlic "only, unique, solitary," lit. "one-like," from an "one" (see one) + -lic "-ly." Distinction of only and alone (now usually in ref. to emotional states) is unusual; in many languages the same word serves for both. Ger. also has a distinction in allein/einzig. Phrase only-begotten (1450) is biblical, translating L. unigenitus, Gk. monogenes. The O.E. form was ancenned.
being the only one; single and isolated from others; "the lone doctor in the entire county"; "a lonesome pine"; "an only child"; "the sole heir"; "the sole example"; "a solitary instance of cowardice"; "a solitary speck in the sky" [syn: lone]
2.
exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only" [syn: alone]
adverb
1.
and nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment" [syn: merely]
2.
without any others being included or involved; "was entirely to blame"; "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"; "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"; "did it solely for money"; "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"; "a privilege granted only to him" [syn: entirely]
3.
with nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round"
4.
in the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset"
5.
except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better"
6.
never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse"
One\, a. [OE. one, on, an, AS. ["a]n; akin to D. een, OS. ["e]n, OFries. ["e]n, ["a]n, G. ein, Dan. een, Sw. en, Icel. einn, Goth. ains, W. un, Ir. & Gael. aon, L. unus, earlier oinos, oenos, Gr. ? the ace on dice; cf. Skr. ["e]ka. The same word as the indefinite article a, an. [root] 299. Cf. 2d A, 1st An, Alone, Anon, Any, None, Nonce, Only, Onion, Unit.]1. Being a single unit, or entire being or thing, and no more; not multifold; single; individual. The dream of Pharaoh is one. --Gen. xli. 25. O that we now had here But one ten thousand of those men in England. --Shak. 2. Denoting a person or thing conceived or spoken of indefinitely; a certain. "I am the sister of one Claudio" [--Shak.], that is, of a certain man named Claudio. 3. Pointing out a contrast, or denoting a particular thing or person different from some other specified; -- used as a correlative adjective, with or without the. From the one side of heaven unto the other. --Deut. iv. 32. 4. Closely bound together; undivided; united; constituting a whole. The church is therefore one, though the members may be many. --Bp. Pearson 5. Single in kind; the same; a common. One plague was on you all, and on your lords. --1 Sam. vi. 4. 6. Single; inmarried. [Obs.] Men may counsel a woman to be one. --Chaucer. Note: One is often used in forming compound words, the meaning of which is obvious; as, one-armed, one-celled, one-eyed, one-handed, one-hearted, one-horned, one-idead, one-leaved, one-masted, one-ribbed, one-story, one-syllable, one-stringed, one-winged, etc. All one, of the same or equal nature, or consequence; as, he says that it is all one what course you take. --Shak. One day. (a) On a certain day, not definitely specified, referring to time past. One day when Phoebe fair, With all her band, was following the chase. --Spenser. (b) Referring to future time: At some uncertain day or period; some day. Well, I will marry one day. --Shak.
On"ly\, a. [OE. only, anly, onlich, AS. [=a]nlic, i.e., onelike. See One, and Like, a.]1. One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation. 2. Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child. 3. Hence, figuratively: Alone, by reason of superiority; pre["e]minent; chief. "Motley's the only wear." --Shak.
On"ly\, adv. [See Only, a.]1. In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely. And to be loved himself, needs only to be known. --Dryden. 2. So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly. "She being only wicked." --Beau. & Fl. Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil. --Gen. vi. 5. 3. Singly; without more; as, only-begotten. 4. Above all others; particularly. [Obs.] His most only elected mistress. --Marston.
On"ly\, adv. [See Only, a.]1. In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely. And to be loved himself, needs only to be known. --Dryden. 2. So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly. "She being only wicked." --Beau. & Fl. Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil. --Gen. vi. 5. 3. Singly; without more; as, only-begotten. 4. Above all others; particularly. [Obs.] His most only elected mistress. --Marston.
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