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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

The word 'only'

Hi,

Here is a sentence:

’’If he only audibly says a few lines from the poem, this is not likely to constitute a copying of the original work.’’

My question focuses on the word 'only'. Could you, please, tell me whether it means that he says only a few words, or if that can also mean that he says those lines hardly audibly?

Thank you!
  

Top answer

It means that he says only a few words. However, I sympathize with your confusion; 'only' could be better placed: If he audibly says only a few lines from the poem, this is not likely to constitute a copying of the original work . In addition, the word 'audibly' is really redundant; 'say' includes that meaning.

  • It means that he says only a few words.
  • However, I sympathize with your confusion; 'only' could be better placed: If he audibly says only a few lines from the poem, this is not likely to constitute a copying of the original work .
  • In addition, the word 'audibly' is really redundant; 'say' includes that meaning.
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2 Answers
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It means that he says only a few words. However, I sympathize with your confusion; 'only' could be better placed:

If he audibly says only a few lines from the poem, this is not likely to constitute a copying of the original work.

In addition, the word 'audibly' is really redundant; 'say' includes that meaning.
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Thank you very much, Mister Micawber!

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