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Pter Posted 17 years ago
Speech & Pronunciation
Placement of only
A book I just read said the following sentences all have the same meaning in practice despite differences in rhythm and emphasis:
1. I only want one.
2. I want one only.
3. I want only one.
I would like to ask native speakers how you would say these sentences. Where would you put the stress?
This is how I would say them:
1. I only want one. (stress on ONLY)
2. I want one only. (stress on ONE)
3. I want only one. (stress on ONLY and ONE)
Also, I think (1) has a slightly different meaning. It sounds like begging.
(1) I ONLY want one. Ple-e-e-ease!
I can't really tell any difference in (2) and (3).
(2) I want ONE only. Don't give me two.
(3) I want ONLY ONE. Just one.
Well, (2) and (3) can also be used in begging, I suppose. But (1), I think, is more so.
Is the stress I mentioned above natural? And do I understand the differences correctly?
1. I only want one.
2. I want one only.
3. I want only one.
I would like to ask native speakers how you would say these sentences. Where would you put the stress?
This is how I would say them:
1. I only want one. (stress on ONLY)
2. I want one only. (stress on ONE)
3. I want only one. (stress on ONLY and ONE)
Also, I think (1) has a slightly different meaning. It sounds like begging.
(1) I ONLY want one. Ple-e-e-ease!
I can't really tell any difference in (2) and (3).
(2) I want ONE only. Don't give me two.
(3) I want ONLY ONE. Just one.
Well, (2) and (3) can also be used in begging, I suppose. But (1), I think, is more so.
Is the stress I mentioned above natural? And do I understand the differences correctly?
Top answer
Hi, Let's consider just your first sentence, because you may perhaps be overlooking the fact that the same sentence can have a variety of stresses. 1. I only want one.
- Hi, Let's consider just your first sentence, because you may perhaps be overlooking the fact that the same sentence can have a variety of stresses.
- 1.
- I only want one.
- Each word in this sentence can receive the primary stress, as follows, with different results.
- ( We'll ignore the fact that secondary stressing can also occur.
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6 Answers
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Hi,
Let's consider just your first sentence, because you may perhaps be overlooking the fact that the same sentence can have a variety of stresses.
1. I only want one.
Each word in this sentence can receive the primary stress, as follows, with different results.
( We'll ignore the fact that secondary stressing can also occur. )
I
Let's consider just your first sentence, because you may perhaps be overlooking the fact that the same sentence can have a variety of stresses.
1. I only want one.
Each word in this sentence can receive the primary stress, as follows, with different results.
( We'll ignore the fact that secondary stressing can also occur. )
I
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Thanks, Clive.
Yes, I know we can stress the different part of the same sentence to give it a different meaning. Besides that, is there any tendency for native speakers to actually shift the "only" because of the need for emphasis? Or are you saying that the three sentences are just the same because all of them can be used to emphasize whatever you like just by shifting the stress?
Yes, I know we can stress the different part of the same sentence to give it a different meaning. Besides that, is there any tendency for native speakers to actually shift the "only" because of the need for emphasis? Or are you saying that the three sentences are just the same because all of them can be used to emphasize whatever you like just by shifting the stress?
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Hi,
1. I only want one.
2. I want one only.
3. I want only one.
Yes, I know we can stress the different part of the same sentence to give it a different meaning. Besides that, is there any tendency for native speakers to actually shift the "only" because of the need for emphasis? Or are you saying that the three sentences are just the same because all of
1. I only want one.
2. I want one only.
3. I want only one.
Yes, I know we can stress the different part of the same sentence to give it a different meaning. Besides that, is there any tendency for native speakers to actually shift the "only" because of the need for emphasis? Or are you saying that the three sentences are just the same because all of
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CliveLet me put it this way. I'd say that version #1 above is much, much much more commonly said than the other two. #3 is said, but does not really sound like everyday speech. #2 sounds unusual, perhaps literary, said for elegance and dramatic effect.Then I'll just forget abo
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PterA book I just read said the following sentences all have the same meaning in practice despite differences in rhythm and emphasis:True, but I recommend the first for ordinary everyday use. And not, as you say, with the stress on only. In its most usual form, it's
1. I only want one.
2. I want one only.
3. I want only one.
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