0
KatiMorton Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
Do you say "one can only imagine"? What does it mean?
Do you say "one can only imagine"? What does it mean?
I encountered the same expression twice in different chapters of the same book. I guess it mean "You can hardly imagine". Can you please explain it to me?
Quote:
One can only imagine a household where two totally diverse cultures intersect.
One can only imagine the stresses experienced by those trying to make up for lost time by condensing ten years of their lives into a few hectic years.
According to the context, I figure it means "You can hardly imagine". But I Googled this expression but didin't get many hits so I'm kind of confused by this expression. Do you say it? And what does it mean exactly?
I encountered the same expression twice in different chapters of the same book. I guess it mean "You can hardly imagine". Can you please explain it to me?
Quote:
One can only imagine a household where two totally diverse cultures intersect.
One can only imagine the stresses experienced by those trying to make up for lost time by condensing ten years of their lives into a few hectic years.
According to the context, I figure it means "You can hardly imagine". But I Googled this expression but didin't get many hits so I'm kind of confused by this expression. Do you say it? And what does it mean exactly?
Top answer
KatiMorton "one can only imagine" Yes. It is a fixed expression. Grandmother: Little Johnny has been using the computer for six hours without stopping.
- KatiMorton "one can only imagine" Yes.
- It is a fixed expression.
- Grandmother: Little Johnny has been using the computer for six hours without stopping.
- I wonder what he is doing?
- Grandfather: One can only imagine!
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
KatiMorton"one can only imagine"Yes. It is a fixed expression.
Grandmother: Little Johnny has been using the computer for six hours without stopping. I wonder what he is doing?
Grandfather: One can only imagine!
(Grandmother and Grandfather do not know how to use the computer very well. They don't know about computer games or other fo
00
AlpheccaStars KatiMorton"one can only imagine"Yes. It is a fixed expression.Grandmother: Little Johnny has been using the computer for six hours without stopping. I wonder what he is doing?Grandfather: One can only imagine!(Grandmother and Grandfather do not know how to use the computer very well. They don't know about computer games or other forms of entertainment. They
00
KatiMortonSo when you say this phrase you put the stress on the word "only" instead of "imagine", am I right?Yes, that's right.
You can't do anything else except use your imagination, because you are ignorant or have no experience with the subject.
00
This was a putdown a high society woman might use. She's saying it's impossible to imagine herself stooping so low. or being so low class. Mildred did what? One can only imagine what she'll do next!
0
Related Questions