Only

Question

which is correct to say?I only need you.I need you only.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

The normal way to say this: You're the only one I need.

Of your choices, neither. I need only you.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

which is correct to say?

I only need you.

I need you only.

It depends on your meaning.

1. I need only you. 'Only' applies to 'you'. ie I don't need anyone else. Just you.

2. I need you only. This has the same meaning as #1, but is much less common, more literary, more emphatic.

3. I only need you. 'Only' applies to 'need'. eg I don't want you. I don't love you. But I need you.

4. Only I need you. 'Only' applies to 'I'. ie Nobody else needs you. Just me.

#1is the most commonly said.

#3 is also often said with the same intended meaning as #1.

Best wishes, Clive

Cool Breeze · Answer

Clive3. I only need you. 'Only' applies to 'need'. eg I don't want you. I don't love you. But I need you.

Hi Clive

So, You Only Live Twice means that you just live, you don't do anything else?

CB

BarbaraPA · Answer

Let us be metaphysical - what else can one do but live? Once, twice, or an infinite number of times? <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/5.gif' alt='Emotion: wink'/>

Cool Breeze · Answer

Grammar GeekLet us be metaphysical - what else can one do but live? Once, twice, or an infinite number of times?

Hmm... Clive says that only applies to the verb after it. I find it rather strange to think that someone lives twice but does nothing else twice. In Finnish logic only refers to twice, not live. English usage has settled over hundreds of years. As there has never been a Language Academy to guide usage, many ways of saying things have become accepted usage even though they may appear ambiguous - and can indeed be considered at least a little confusing now and then. Intonation and what words are stressed can be important in determining the meaning as well.

You only live twice (No one else does.)
You only live twice (You don't do anything else twice.)
You only live twice (Not more than twice.)

CB

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Yeah, it's quite a complex matter.

I did hedge by saying #3 is also often said with the same intended meaning as #1.

Clive

BarbaraPA · Answer

I would argue that technically it's "You live only twice" but I thought you were just having some fun.

CalifJim · Answer

Sarunniowhich is correct to say?
I only need you.
I need you only.

I only need you.

CJ

Cool Breeze · Answer

CalifJim
Sarunniowhich is correct to say?
I only need you.
I need you only.

I only need you.

Hi Jim

Grammarians generally think that only can follow the word it modifies. In your opinion signs saying STAFF ONLY are incorrect?

CB

CalifJim · Answer

Cool BreezeIn your opinion signs saying STAFF ONLY are incorrect?

No. To be agonizingly precise I never actually said that I need you onlywas incorrect.

But I did assume that the poster was not going to make a sign with his sentence and mount it on a door.

I often have to plead guilty to "reading between the lines" when I answer some of these questions. For example, I take this question to be asking "Which of these is better to say to your girlfriend?" or at least "Which of these is the more common or typical way of expressing this thought?"

Have I taken the following too seriously?

For Basic English ONLY. Please post only easy questions and answers here.

CJ

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