Dictionary of English - only

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

The natural place in a sentence for only, as for most adverbs, is next to the verb. Its meaning may stretch out to affect other words, but when you speak you can make this clear by the way you say the sentence. There is no need to move only.

However, when you write, that option is closed off, and ambiguity can creep in. For example, does a sign in a station saying: This platform only for Olympia mean that trains from this platform go to Olympia and to nowhere else, or that trains do not go to Olympia from any platform other than this one.

If there is a danger of misunderstanding, it is best either to put only next to the word it relates to: Only I (I and no one else) saw the accident; I only saw (did not hear, etc) the accident; I saw only the accident (I did not see anything else); or, if the result is inappropriately formal for its context, to recast the sentence without only: I and no one else saw the accident.

The Union Jack signifies the islands' wish to preserve links with Britain. The nine stars representing the islands are placed according to their locations. Effective date: 11 April 1997. >>