One of the only

Question

I remember reading somewhere that Richard Lederer has said that "one of the only", as used below, is incorrect. Is it?  "One of the only things he demands is that we keep the coffee room clean."

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Interesting.  I have not considered that.  It is awkward, at least, but I understand the ad hoc logic:  'there are only several things among many possible that he demands'.

Anonymous · Answer

I'd say the same. If we can say "The only things I wanted when I was young...", which talks about a set, then why can't we modify that with "one of"?

Yoong Liat · Answer

Anonymous"One of the only things he demands is that we keep the coffee room clean."

I would write "One of the things he demands is that we keep the coffee room clean."

Anonymous · Answer

Yoong Liat
Anonymous"One of the only things he demands is that we keep the coffee room clean."

I would write "One of the things he demands is that we keep the coffee room clean."

Is there a difference in meaning between your version and the original?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Another expression is:

One of the few things that he demands is that we keep the coffee room clean.

I would probably use "few" more frequently than "only".
Cheers,
A-

s

Yankee · Answer

The word "only" already has "few" as one of its definitions in Webster's, so I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only

[:^)]

One of the only

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