0
Kooyeen Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
Only (as recently as)
Hi,
when "only" means "as recently as", does it need to come right before the adverb of time it modifies? Or can it be put in other positions as well?
I found out about his death only yesterday.
I only found out about his death yesterday.
I decided to become a pilot only recently.
I only decided to become a pilot recently.
I was on a mission in India only a month ago.
I was only on a mission in India a month ago.
And so on. I feel the rule is not so general. It might work sometimes, other times it might be unnatural. Thanks in advance.
And an additional question: can "only" with that meaning be replaced by "just"? I think it could, but I somehow feel it would have some slightly different implications.
when "only" means "as recently as", does it need to come right before the adverb of time it modifies? Or can it be put in other positions as well?
I found out about his death only yesterday.
I only found out about his death yesterday.
I decided to become a pilot only recently.
I only decided to become a pilot recently.
I was on a mission in India only a month ago.
I was only on a mission in India a month ago.
And so on. I feel the rule is not so general. It might work sometimes, other times it might be unnatural. Thanks in advance.
And an additional question: can "only" with that meaning be replaced by "just"? I think it could, but I somehow feel it would have some slightly different implications.
Top answer
Hi K, The last one definitely doesn't work - perhaps because of the being verb. I'll have to think more to be sure that's the secret. The first two are fine both ways.
- Hi K, The last one definitely doesn't work - perhaps because of the being verb.
- I'll have to think more to be sure that's the secret.
- The first two are fine both ways.
- Best wishes, - A.
- )
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
Hi K,
The last one definitely doesn't work - perhaps because of the being verb. I'll have to think more to be sure that's the secret.
The first two are fine both ways.
Best wishes, - A. ( Notice that now I know the true meaning of the dash, I'm using it more liberally.)
The last one definitely doesn't work - perhaps because of the being verb. I'll have to think more to be sure that's the secret.
The first two are fine both ways.
Best wishes, - A. ( Notice that now I know the true meaning of the dash, I'm using it more liberally.)
00
Thanks Avangi. Hmm, looks complicated.
Ok, it's only in the last pair that there is a problem, right? I didn't like the last example either, but I included it anyway. Yes, the problem is probably due to the presence of the verb "to be".
Anyway, in all other cases, it seems ONLY and the ADVERB can be separated, but do you think substituting JUST for ONLY in those structures would be
Ok, it's only in the last pair that there is a problem, right? I didn't like the last example either, but I included it anyway. Yes, the problem is probably due to the presence of the verb "to be".
Anyway, in all other cases, it seems ONLY and the ADVERB can be separated, but do you think substituting JUST for ONLY in those structures would be
00
Kooyeen can "only" with that meaning be replaced by "just"?It works the same for me.
I'm also cool with "just recently."
00
Related Questions