Positions of "only"

Question

Do these sentences below have the same meaning?

1) The animal can be found only in Japan.
2) The animal only can be found in Japan.
3) The animal can only be found in Japan.
4) The animal can be only found in Japan.

Thanks in advance!

M

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

You may hear all  of them, but  #1 is the one that conveys the intended meaning best.

H M · Answer

Thank you for your quick reply!
I really appreciate your help! I'm confused with where to put adverbs from time to time...I feel like anywehere is ok...

Yoong Liat · Answer

1) The animal can be found only in Japan.

only is placed near to Japan to emphasise that the animal can be found only in Japan.

H M · Answer

Thank you for your explanation!

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous Do these sentences below have the same meaning?1) The animal can be found only in Japan.2) The animal only can be found in Japan.3) The animal can only be found in Japan.4) The animal can be only found in Japan.Thanks in advance!M

They all have the same meaning, but 'only' seems to be in a strange position in #2 and in #4.

Even though #1 is the most accurate, I'm partial to #3.

CJ

Fivejedjon · Answer

CalifJimEven though #1 is the most accurate, I'm partial to #3

You might well hear me saying #3. The pedant in me nags that this implies that it can be found but not, for example, purchased/seen/touched/etc. It wouldn't occur to most of us to think what the pedant thinks.

H M · Answer

I see, thank you! :-)
Maybe I just get used to it to be able to feel strange if 'only' is in a position #2 or #4.

H M · Answer

Thanks a lot for your expranation!
I didn't know that #3 can implie such meaning!
It's exciting to know about such a thing.

Positions of "only"

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