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Persian Learner Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Can only

Hi.

In the normal course of things, he may be spotted in the nude once a week. I can only assume this goes on
daily, but thankfully, our paths don't cross more than once a week. Is this something we should be concerned
about?


I really don't understand the role of can only in the above context. How does it change the meaning of the sentence?

I can only assume this goes on
daily.

I can assume this goes on
daily.

I assume this goes on
daily.


How are the three above sentences different in meaning?
  

Top answer

The words "can only" mean that there is no other assumption to be made, and may also suggest the speaker's reluctance to come to such a conclusion. "I can assume" has a nuance that the assumption is deemed permissible, but actually "I can assume" does not seem very common to me. Much more common would be "We can assume".

— GPY

  • The words "can only" mean that there is no other assumption to be made, and may also suggest the speaker's reluctance to come to such a conclusion.
  • "I can assume" has a nuance that the assumption is deemed permissible, but actually "I can assume" does not seem very common to me.
  • Much more common would be "We can assume".
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1 Answers
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The words "can only" mean that there is no other assumption to be made, and may also suggest the speaker's reluctance to come to such a conclusion.

"I can assume" has a nuance that the assumption is deemed permissible, but actually "I can assume" does not seem very common to me. Much more common would be "We can assume".
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