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Victor_amelkin Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
The position of "only" in a sentence
Hello,
Could you please opine which of the following sentences correctly expresses the idea of unsufficiency of the term two people know each other for:
1) They've only known each other for a few weeks. [guide's choice]
2) They've known each other only for a few weeks. [my choice]
3) They've known each other for a few weeks only. [also possible in my opinion]
4) They've known each other for only a few weeks. [to top it off]
Thanks in advance.
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Victor
Could you please opine which of the following sentences correctly expresses the idea of unsufficiency of the term two people know each other for:
1) They've only known each other for a few weeks. [guide's choice]
2) They've known each other only for a few weeks. [my choice]
3) They've known each other for a few weeks only. [also possible in my opinion]
4) They've known each other for only a few weeks. [to top it off]
Thanks in advance.
--
Victor
Top answer
My preference is #4. It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time. That said, you'll hear all of these (#3, not so much, I think), and no one will be confused about the meaning.
- My preference is #4.
- It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time.
- That said, you'll hear all of these (#3, not so much, I think), and no one will be confused about the meaning.
- " because they genuinely don't understand that only is modifying the period of time and not the nature of the relationship.
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3 Answers
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My preference is #4.
It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time.
That said, you'll hear all of these (#3, not so much, I think), and no one will be confused about the meaning.
No one will say "Oh, they've only KNOWN each other -- so else did they do together before they KNEW each other -- saw each other from across a hallway?" because they genuinely
It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time.
That said, you'll hear all of these (#3, not so much, I think), and no one will be confused about the meaning.
No one will say "Oh, they've only KNOWN each other -- so else did they do together before they KNEW each other -- saw each other from across a hallway?" because they genuinely
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Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your comment.
> It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time.
I heard about this rule, but I suppose it's specific to AmE? It seems,
my guide, which is BrE-ish, doesn't take this rule into account.
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Victor
Thanks for your comment.
> It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time.
I heard about this rule, but I suppose it's specific to AmE? It seems,
my guide, which is BrE-ish, doesn't take this rule into account.
--
Victor
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Grammar GeekMy preference is #4.
It puts the "only" as close as possible to the period of time.
No one will say "Oh, they've only KNOWN each other -- so else did they do together before they KNEW each other -- saw each other from across a hallway?" because they genuinely don't understand that only is modifying the period of time and not the nature of th
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