only
The word “only” is an adjective that diminishes (makes smaller in significance) the words with which it’s used. If you say that, “It’s only 10:00,” it sounds like the time is not late. He’s only four years old. That sounds like a very young person whose abilities or expectations are limited by his young age.
You can also use “only” as an adverb that modifies a verb. I only want one thing. In this sentence, “only” modifies “want.”
Here are some examples for ways to use the word "only."
- 1. She could only attend the meeting if it were scheduled in the morning. (This was a condition for her attendance.)
- 2. The store has only a few items left on the clearance rack. (All of the good stuff that was on the rack had already been purchased.)
- 3. I can only work on this project during the weekends. (I have no other time to work on it.)
- 4. The concert tickets were only available online. (You couldn’t purchase the tickets at the gate.)
- 5. He suddenly realized he had only one week left to file his taxes. (This is a very short amount of time.)
- 6. The bakery is open only in the morning. (If you go there in the afternoon, it will be closed.)
- 7. Only if we work together can we solve this problem. (We must work together for a solution.)
- 8. The museum is open to the public only on weekdays. (Members of the public can’t go there on the weekend. Authorized personnel can go there on the weekend.)
- 9. She discovered that the library had only two copies of the book available. (After she checked it out, there was one more available.)
- 10. The restaurant serves its special dish only during the holiday season. (You can’t order it any other time.)
