Giao Vien 4
ONLY
I. Remember to always place "only" next to the item you want to modify in the sentence so the sentence is clear and your meaning is not confusing or awkward to your reader or listener. Look at the below examples to determine where "only" belongs in your sentence.
1. Only I like dancing at a party.
=> "only" is modifying the subject "I". You are telling someone that no one else likes to dance at a party, only you. => Means: "Only John danced at the party." = John the only dancer at the party ("only" modifies the subject "John")
2. I only like dancing at a party.
=> "only" is modifying the verb "like". So this sentence means that the "I" likes to do just one thing at a party: dance.
3. I like only dancing at a party.
=> "only" modifier the gerund "dancing" => Means the person likes dancing and no (doesn't like) other activities (talking, eating, etc) at a party.
4. I like dancing only at a party.
=> "only" modifiers the preposition "at" => Means no other preposition, such as "after" will do.
5. I like dancing at only a party.
=> "only" modifiers the noun phrase "a party" => Means no other location or event, such as "in private" or "on stage".
Only John drinks Scotch with his dad. => only John, not somebody else
John only drinks Scotch with his dad. => only drink, not doing anything else
John drinks only Scotch with his dad. => only Scotch, not other kinds of alcohol
John drinks Scotch only with his dad. => with, no other preposition, such as "without" will do.
John drinks Scotch with only his dad. => => only with his dad, no one else.
II. The use of "only" works better in a sentence that indicates the speaker only does one thing in a certain situation.
I eat only vegetables.
=> "only" modifies the noun "vegetables" => This sentence is clear if you are a vegetarian and are telling someone about your diet. This means you consume vegetables and no meat or other food products.
John only cooks meat for his family.
=> "only" modifiers the verb "cooks" => 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.
III. Place "only" in front of the ending phrase in the sentence to modify the phrase.
I like dancing only at a party.
=> "only" is modifying "at a party". This indicates that the speaker likes to dance when she is at a party, and that she does not dance any other time or at any other type of event.
John drinks Scotch only with his dad.
=> "only" is modifying "with his dad" => This sentence means that John drinks scotch with his dad and with no one else.
Note: He is only a boy. (=> no one more; solely)
He is an only child. (=>. (=> a child who has no brothers or sisters.)
=> How to use "JUST".