Or i can do only so much in this time. When only after, only if, only in this way etc Are placed at the beginning of the sentence for rhetorical effect, the subject and auxiliary are inverted Only after lunch can you play. The only way to avoid ambiguity is to say we are getting only that printed and to emphasize that When it's written, where only is placed can eliminate or create ambiguity
All other suggestions here so far are ambiguous to careful writers and readers Disregard what typical native speakers think is normal in this case. What's the meaning of such a text message? It is only me that is confused Or it is only i that am confused The first one sounds more natural to me while the second one appears to me as grammatically correct
It was only when is by comparision more 'relaxed' writing, more like someone is recounting something to someone. Could you please tell me which one of these sentences is correct, or are they both grammatically correct This will only happen if you go with me This will happen only if you go with me. The placement of only has nothing to do with the present perfect construction, but with the placement of the focus np that only binds Here's what mccawley (p.68) says about it
There are a number of words in english (only, even, too, also) that are associated with a focus An item that is implicitly contrasted with other items, as in john drinks only beer, where only serves to contrast beer. The only rule you need to use is the rule of best comprehension Comprehension is affected by the effects of prominence, affinity and vicinity
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