Q&A for How to Use the Word "Only" Correctly

The latter.

When the "only" is meant to modify the noun or verb that immediately precedes it. For example, "I like dancing with you only" means the same as "I like dancing with only you."

Either way is OK, but people will understand your point more easily if you say, "I am left with only $5."

In practice they do mean the same thing. In terms of the strictest syntax, they do not (as explained above).

Yes, it's correct. "Only as many" sounds more limiting or restrictive than "use as many."

You could say, "Only if we get money will we go to Kampala."

"I only like dancing at a party" says that the only time you like dancing is at a party. "I like only dancing at a party" means that the only thing you like to do at a party is dance. If spoken with the right emphasis (emphasizing 'dancing' and not 'party'), the first could also convey the meaning of the second. But the second cannot convey the meaning of the first.

The first example means "...titles are nothing but available..." The second example means "...available for nothing but download..."

You are correct in both cases.

Yes, that's correct.

That's OK, or you could insert "only" after "team."

Because it means that yesterday was the only day on which he died (which is probably not what you mean to say). "Only he died yesterday" means that no one else died yesterday. "He only died yesterday" means that all he did yesterday was die." "He died only yesterday" means he died very recently, as recently as yesterday.

No. "I only like dancing at a party" can mean "The only thing I like to do at a party is to dance", but it can also mean "The only place where I like to dance is at a party". In the former, you don't mind dancing in your hotel room, but you will never play board games or drink alcohol at a party. In the latter, you will never dance anywhere else but at a party, but you also love to play games, talk, drink, and socialize at that party.

This is a case where "only" means "however." The usage is informal but correct.

Yes, the sentence is correct if you would not allow the person you are speaking with to go with you if they are not decently dressed.

Correct if you are saying that Rs.10000 is the only acceptable amount. However, if you mean that no more than Rs. 10000 is is required, say "...only Rs. 10000."

It depends on the intent. The first sentence says that the price will be sourced for just one thing. The second sentence rather awkwardly says that prices will not be anything except sourced for Project X.

It sounds more natural to say, "Listen only to them." However, by the principles of this article, either of your alternatives would be correct.

This is how you decide which way to say it: if you mean that those staff members don't do anything except serve, use the first expression. If you mean that they serve in no more than one of those roles, use the second expression.

Use "only" or "most" but not both. If you say it is the only important thing, you are also implying that it is the most important.

Yes, if you say you have "only $50," then you are saying that you have exactly $50.

The first is commonly used. The second is technically correct.

Yes. However, the first case is a bit clearer.

Both are correct. The first option means "teachers never do anything but enter the classroom and teach," and it can also mean "the only thing teachers ever do in the class is teach." The second option means "no one other than teachers teach in the class."

Yes.

Yes, that's correct if the wound cannot be seen unless he moves.

No. Instead say, "the store issues only ten..." What you have stated is that the only thing the store does is issue ten sets of styler a day.

The first is better.

Those phrases mean the same thing, so either might work. Say them both out loud in a sentence, and see which sounds best.

They're both correct. The second might be more common. They both mean "I like no language other than English."