November 15, 2014 – Word of the Day

only

The word "only" creates some kind of a limit.

• There’s only one banana left.
• We can only stay for a couple of hours.
• He only has three dollars in his pocket.
• You can drive only 25 miles per hour in this area.

This word is applied when a situation is good:

• This car is only $4500.
• We’re only a few minutes late.
• The flight only lasted an hour.
• It’s only 10:00. We have time to go somewhere.

But sometimes the situation is not so good:

• We’re the only ones here at this party.
• I don’t want to wake up. It’s only five in the morning.
• You’re too young to drive if you’re only 14 years old.
• She was only 35 when she died.

There are many, many different situations in which "only" might be used:

• He’s the one and only. (There’s no other. He’s original or he’s the one person to fill the position.)
• If only we could save enough money. (It’s difficult to save money.)
• If only that were true. (The situation isn’t true, but it’s nice to think about.)
• If only! (This is used when wishing for something.)
• He’s an only child. (He has no brothers or sisters.)
• This is for you and you only. ( I don’t want you to share this with other people.)
• You’re only going to make matters worse. (This is kind of an expression. It means that a person’s intentions or actions will create more problems.)

The Platters — Only You

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