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Ant_222 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

The position of "only"

Hello, all

Below is a sentence from "Jekyll and Hyde" in which I cannot understand the reason behind placing "only" before "broken":

«London hummed solemnly all around; but nearer at hand, the stillness was only broken by the sounds of a footfall moving to and fro along thecabinet floor.»

Maybe it would not sound as good, but I'd definitely put "only" before "by", because I think it should be located before the noun (or verb) that it modifies, which in our case is "the sounds of a footfall". Is my reasoning faulty?

Thanks in advance,
Anton
  

Top answer

Ant_222 Maybe it would not sound as good, but I'd definitely put "only" before "by", because I think it should be located before the noun (or verb) that it modifies, which in our case is "the sounds of a footfall". Is my reasoning faulty? Your reasoning seems fine.

— RayH

  • Ant_222 Maybe it would not sound as good, but I'd definitely put "only" before "by", because I think it should be located before the noun (or verb) that it modifies, which in our case is "the sounds of a footfall".
  • Is my reasoning faulty?
  • Your reasoning seems fine.
  • There isn't any real difference between the two versions.
  • I'd say that it's just a matter of style, author's choice, as it were.
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6 Answers
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Ant_222Maybe it would not sound as good, but I'd definitely put "only" before "by", because I think it should be located before the noun (or verb) that it modifies, which in our case is "the sounds of a footfall". Is my reasoning faulty?
Your reasoning seems fine. There isn't any real difference between the two versions. I'd say that it's just a matter of styl
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Ant_222the reason behind placing "only" before "broken":
In idiomatic English, and contrary to logic (to the dismay of many), only "floats to the left", usually to a position just after the subject. The result is that onlymay sometimes be found at an ungodly distance from its partner.
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CalifJim
Ant_222the reason behind placing "only" before "broken":
In idiomatic English, and contrary to logic (to the dismay of many), only "floats to the left", usually to a position just after the subject. The result is that only may sometimes be found at an ungodly distance from its partner.
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Philipthe float to the left law
Oh, Philip, why did I know I would pique your interest (reaction?) with my remarks on this one? Let's say strong tendency rather than law. I'm certainly not claiming that your preference on the placement of onlyis ungrammatical.
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CalifJim
Philipthe float to the left law
Oh, Philip, why did I know I would pique your interest (reaction?) with my remarks on this one? Let's say strong tendency rather than law. I'm certainly not claiming that your preference on the placement of only is ungrammatical.
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