Just/only phrases

Question

There are no cars there, just people.There are no sharks, only dolphins.These are Ok aren't they because they are both the second of two predicates?That doesn't say the latter is wrong, just not the best choice available.Is this sentence OK, with the phrase in bold present? They aren't predicate nominatives like the two above.Is it perhaps an ellipsis or comma splice and thus ungrammatical?Thank you again

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

English 1b3There are no cars there, just people.

There are no sharks, only dolphins.

These are OK.

English 1b3That doesn't say the latter is wrong, just not the best choice available.

You may sometimes hear native speakers use this type of construction. Strictly though, I think it's a bit wonky. It should in my view be:

That doesn't say the latter is wrong, just that it's not the best choice available.

English 1b3 · Answer

Mr Wordy
You may sometimes hear native speakers use this type of construction. Strictly though, I think it's a bit wonky. It should in my view be:

That doesn't say the latter is wrong, just that it's not the best choice available.

I agree. What do you suppose the reason is that the former two are correct and commonly said while the latter is wrong but also commonly said?

I think it may be incorrect because just functions as an adverb; however, it is being used as a conjunction, which cannot be done.

But then in your version, which I also believe is fine, just still seems to be used like a conjunction. Don't you think?

Mr Wordy · Answer

English 1b3
I agree. What do you suppose the reason is that the former two are correct and commonly said while the latter is wrong but also commonly said?

I think it may be incorrect because just functions as an adverb; however, it is being used as a conjunction, which cannot be done.

But then in your version, which I also believe is fine, just still seems to be used like a conjunction. Don't you think?

Hmm. Another of your tricky questions. Perhaps it would be illuminating to look at a minimal pair such as:

"I don't eat apples, just oranges."

"I don't run, just walk."

The first seems possible while the second does not (at least not in standard English). The same seems true if we substitute "only". Why this is so I really have no idea.

Anyone?

Ivanhr · Answer

Mr Wordy
English 1b3
I agree. What do you suppose the reason is that the former two are correct and commonly said while the latter is wrong but also commonly said?

I think it may be incorrect because just functions as an adverb; however, it is being used as a conjunction, which cannot be done.

But then in your version, which I also believe is fine, just still seems to be used like a conjunction. Don't you think?

Hmm. Another of your tricky questions. Perhaps it would be illuminating to look at a minimal pair such as:

"I don't eat apples, just oranges."

"I don't run, just walk."

The first seems possible while the second does not (at least not in standard English). The same seems true if we substitute "only". Why this is so I really have no idea.

Anyone?

To me, the second seems a bit odd because of how we think of 'just walk' which is often used to give an order.

Don't say anything, just walk.

Both parts of this sentence are (mild) orders so there's no ambiguity whatsoever.

I don't think anyone would interpret 'just walk' in your sentence as an order though. Unlike 'just walk', the phrasing 'only walk' can't serve to give an order so perhaps 'only' would work better.

It's probably best to rephrase the second.

I don't run, I walk.

Just/only phrases

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