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Can "Only" Emphasize "Can't", "Don't", "Should", "Must", "Can"?
1. I only can't sell this furniture and this carpet because they are too big.
2. I only can say, “yes,” I can never say, “no.
3. Only don't lock your door.
4. I only don't know how to do that.
5. I only could play the music for other kids and watch them dance
6. “No, no—I only should have had more time. I want another go.”
7. I only must ask you to excuse the disorder in which you find us.
I found all the examples in Google books.
I think in each case "only" seems to emphasize can, don't, could, should, must, but I'm curious whether it is correct to use "only" to emphasize them like in the examples.
Top answer
CalifJim Can "Only" Emphasize "Can't", "Don't", "Should", "Must", "Can"? No, I don't think so. 'only' does not apply to auxiliary verbs as far as I know.
- CalifJim Can "Only" Emphasize "Can't", "Don't", "Should", "Must", "Can"?
- No, I don't think so.
- 'only' does not apply to auxiliary verbs as far as I know.
- It applies to the lexical verb or to some other element in the sentence.
- Your sentences illustrate different uses of 'only'.
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CalifJimCan "Only" Emphasize "Can't", "Don't", "Should", "Must", "Can"?
No, I don't think so. 'only' does not apply to auxiliary verbs as far as I know. It applies to the lexical verb or to some other element in the sentence.
Your sentences illustrate different uses of 'only'. The best way to approach this is by understanding the meaning of each
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