language note: In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however,you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important.
1. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary.
Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb.
Only here were the police visible in any strength at all.
44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male for friendship and fun. Genuine repliesonly.
A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base.
It's true that I seem to have forgotten you, but it only seems that way.
2. adverb
You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen.
The lawyer is paid only if he wins.
The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready.
We surely tolerate this system only because it is familiar to us.
3. adjective
If you talk about theonly person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it.
She was the only woman in the company's legal department.
My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company.
That left Mr Dertliev as the only candidate.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters.
5. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.
At the moment it is only a theory.
'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements.
Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking.
Synonyms: just, simply, purely, merely More Synonyms of only
6. adverb
You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is.
[emphasis]
Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire.
...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams.
Decaffeinated coffee is only a bit better for you.
I've only recently met him.
7. adverb [ADVERB noun]
You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not thewhole of it.
[emphasis]
These are only a few of the possibilities.
Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution.
8. adverb
Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned.
[emphasis]
For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look.
The police can only guess at the scale of the problem.
9. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing.
[emphasis]
I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me.
We can only hope that the elephants can recover.
10. conjunction
Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said.
[informal]
It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real.
It's a bit like my house, only nicer.
Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it.
11. conjunction
Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done.
[spoken]
I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way.
I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there.
12. adverb [ADV to-inf]
You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate.
Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting.
He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed.
13. adverb [usually ADVERB adjective]
You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is.
[emphasis]
It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply.
She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected.
14. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.
The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians.
She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems.
15.
See have only to/only have to
16.
See only just
17.
See only just
18.
See only too
19.
See only too
20. if only
21. not only
22. the one and only
More Synonyms of only
only in British English
(ˈəʊnlɪ)
adjective(prenominal)
1. the only
2.
(of a child) having no siblings
3.
unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless
4. one and only
adverb
5.
without anyone or anything else being included; alone
you have one choice only
only a genius can do that
6.
merely or just
it's only Henry
7.
no more or no greater than
we met only an hour ago
8. Irish
(intensifier)
she was only marvellous
it was only dreadful
9.
used in conditional clauses introduced by if to emphasize the impossibility of the condition ever being fulfilled
if I had only known, this would never have happened
10.
not earlier than; not…until
I only found out yesterday
11. if only
12. only if
13. only too
sentence connector
14.
but; however: used to introduce an exception or condition
play outside: only don't go into the street
▶ USAGE 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 acceptableto 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 intonationwill 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)
Word origin
Old English ānlīc, from ānone + -līc-ly2
only in American English
(ˈoʊnli)
adjective
1.
alone of its or their kind; by itself or by themselves; sole
2.
having no siblings
an only child
3.
alone in its or their superiority; best; finest
adverb
4.
a.
and no other; and no (or nothing) more; solely; exclusively
drink water only
b.
merely; simply
5.
(but) in what follows or in the end
to meet one crisis, only to face another
6.
as recently as
elected only last fall
conjunction
7. Informal
were it not that; except that; but
I'd have gone, only it rained
Idioms:
if only
only too
Word origin
ME < OE anlic < an, one + -lic, -ly1
Examples of 'only' in a sentence
only
Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet the problems had only just begun.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The only way they get help is if there are pacey guys covering for them.
The Sun (2016)
Why has this only come out now?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Yet it was only after his business failed that the real problems began.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This guy is the only person who has come out and said anything.
The Sun (2016)
And he technically is the only one of the three of us not to be fired by anyone.
The Sun (2016)
The return to three miles will help but he's surely only playing for place money.
The Sun (2016)
But only on the outside.
The Sun (2016)
She was only saved after emergency surgery.
The Sun (2008)
The second phase of the rebuilding has only just begun.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It will only get worse once you marry.
The Sun (2010)
Only true champions know the value of humility.
The Sun (2015)
Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition.
The Sun (2016)
In many ways playing only one format puts pressure on you.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One can only imagine what the neighbours thought.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You fear that addressing these will only make things worse.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is only influences from outside that will interfere with the forecasts.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
The ref was the only person who thought it was a red card.
The Sun (2010)
You may feel favours go only one way at home but you are storing up useful goodwill.
The Sun (2009)
Will that only add to the pressure?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yet awareness alone goes only so far.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The fund has been the only means the family have had to maintain the hunt.
The Sun (2011)
This letter has only just come to light.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Yet only a third say they expect to scale back their lifestyle.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
only
British English: only /ˈəʊnlɪ/ ADJECTIVE
sole If you talk about the only thing or person, you mean that there are no others.
It was the only shop in the town.
American English: only
Arabic: وَحِيدٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: único
Chinese: 唯一的
Croatian: jedini
Czech: jediný
Danish: eneste
Dutch: enig
European Spanish: único solo
Finnish: ainoa
French: seul
German: einziger
Greek: μοναδικός
Italian: solo
Japanese: 唯一の
Korean: 유일한
Norwegian: bare
Polish: jedyny
European Portuguese: único
Romanian: unic
Russian: единственный
Latin American Spanish: único solo y sin otro de su especie
Swedish: enda
Thai: เพียงเท่านั้น
Turkish: tek
Ukrainian: єдиний
Vietnamese: duy nhất
British English: only /ˈəʊnlɪ/ ADVERB
You use only when you are saying how small or short something is.
Their house is only a few miles from here.
American English: only
Arabic: فَقَطٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: somente
Chinese: 仅仅
Croatian: samo
Czech: jen
Danish: kun
Dutch: slechts
European Spanish: solo
Finnish: vain
French: seulement
German: nur
Greek: μόνο
Italian: solamente
Japanese: 単に
Korean: 다만 ...뿐
Norwegian: bare
Polish: tylko
European Portuguese: somente
Romanian: doar
Russian: только
Latin American Spanish: sólo
Swedish: bara endast
Thai: เท่านั้น
Turkish: yalnızca
Ukrainian: лише
Vietnamese: chỉ riêng
British English: only /ˈəʊnlɪ/ ADJECTIVE
child If you are an only child, you have no brothers or sisters.
American English: only
Arabic: وَحِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: único
Chinese: 唯一的
Croatian: jedini
Czech: jediný
Danish: ene-
Dutch: enig
European Spanish: único
Finnish: ainoa
French: uniqueenfant
German: einzig
Greek: μόνος
Italian: unico
Japanese: ただ一人の
Korean: 유일한
Norwegian: ene
Polish: jedynak
European Portuguese: único
Romanian: singur
Russian: единственный
Latin American Spanish: único
Swedish: enda
Thai: เพียงคนเดียว
Turkish: tek
Ukrainian: єдиний
Vietnamese: duy nhất
Chinese translation of 'only'
only
(ˈəunlɪ)
adv
(emphasizing one thing) 仅(僅)仅(僅) (jǐnjǐn)
⇒ I'm only interested in finding out the facts.我仅仅对找出事实真相有兴趣。 (Wǒ jǐnjǐn duì zhǎochū shìshí zhēnxiàng yǒu xìngqù.)
⇒ The video is to be used for teaching purposes only.该录像仅供教学使用。 (Gāi lùxiàng jǐn gōng jiàoxué shǐyòng.)
(emphasizing sth must happen) 只有 (zhǐyǒu)
⇒ The lawyer is paid only if he wins.律师只有赢了官司才能拿钱。 (Lǜshī zhǐyǒu yíngle guānsi cái néng ná qián.)
(emphasizing insignificance) 只 (zhǐ)
adj
(= sole) 唯一的 (wéiyī de)
⇒ He was the only survivor.他是唯一的幸存者。 (Tā shì wéiyī de xìngcúnzhě.)
conj
(= but) 可是 (kěshì)
I was only joking我只是在开(開)玩笑。 (wǒ zhǐshì zài kāi wánxiào)
I saw her only last week我上周(週)才见(見)了她 (wǒ shàngzhōu cái jiànle tā)
I'd be only too pleased or happy to help我非常乐(樂)意来(來)帮(幫)忙 (wǒ fēicháng lèyì lái bāngmáng)
I know only too well ... 我太了解 ... (wǒ tài liǎojiě ... )
it's only fair/natural这(這)很公平/自然 (zhè hěn gōngpíng/zìrán)
we asked for her autograph only to be ignored我们(們)要她的签(簽)名却(卻)被置之不理 (wǒmen yào tā de qiānmíng què bèi zhì zhī bù lǐ)
only just (= recently) 刚(剛)刚(剛) (gānggāng)
⇒ I've only just arrived我刚刚才到 (wǒ gānggāng cái dào)
(= barely) 勉强(強) (miǎnqiǎng)
⇒ Farmers have only just managed to survive农民们只是勉强维持生计 (nóngmínmen zhǐshì miǎnqiǎng wéichí shēngjì)
not only ... but (also) ... 不但 ... 而且 ... (bùdàn ... érqiě ... )
⇒ Chimps not only use tools but make them.黑猩猩不但使用而且制造工具。 (Hēixīngxing bùdàn shǐyòng érqiě zhìzào gōngjù.)
the only one (= person) 唯一 (wéiyī) (= thing) 唯一 (wéiyī)
an only child独(獨)生子女 (dúshēng zǐnǚ)
All related terms of 'only'
if only
( giving reason ) 即使只是 jíshǐ zhǐshì
only just
( recently ) 刚(剛)刚(剛) gānggāng ⇒ I've only just arrived → 我刚刚才到 wǒ gānggāng cái dào