How do you use "only" in a sentence?

She is the only person who knows the truth. I only have five pounds left. If only I had listened to your advice.

only

Q: What does "only" mean?

Solely; no more than; single or unique 'Only' functions as an adverb meaning 'solely' ('I only wanted to help') or 'merely' ('it is only a scratch'), and as an adjective meaning 'single' ('the only solution'). Its position in a sentence affects meaning significantly. 'If only' expresses wishes, while 'only just' means 'barely'.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Solely; no more than; single or unique

仅仅，只有，唯一的

solo, únicamente, único

唯一の、〜だけ、ただ〜に過ぎない

유일한, ~만, 단지 ~에 불과한

'Only' functions as an adverb meaning 'solely' ('I only wanted to help') or 'merely' ('it is only a scratch'), and as an adjective meaning 'single' ('the only solution'). Its position in a sentence affects meaning significantly. 'If only' expresses wishes, while 'only just' means 'barely'.

「only」作为副词意为「仅仅」（「I only wanted to help」）或「只是」（「it is only a scratch」），作为形容词意为「唯一的」（「the only solution」）。它在句子中的位置会显著影响意思。「if only」表达愿望，而「only just」意为「勉强」。

«Only» funciona como adverbio que significa «solamente» («I only wanted to help») o «meramente» («it is only a scratch»), y como adjetivo que significa «único» («the only solution»). Su posición en una oración afecta significativamente el significado. «If only» expresa deseos, mientras que «only just» significa «apenas».

「only」は「〜だけ」（「I only wanted to help」）または「〜に過ぎない」（「it is only a scratch」）を意味する副詞として、また「唯一の」（「the only solution」）を意味する形容詞として機能します。文中の位置によって意味が大きく変わります。「if only」は願望を表し、「only just」は「かろうじて」を意味します。

'Only'는 '오직'('I only wanted to help')이나 '단지'('it is only a scratch')를 뜻하는 부사, 그리고 '유일한'('the only solution')을 뜻하는 형용사로 사용됩니다. 문장에서의 위치에 따라 의미가 크게 달라집니다. 'If only'는 소망을 나타내고, 'only just'는 '간신히'라는 뜻입니다.

Examples

She is the only person who knows the truth.
她是唯一知道真相的人。
Ella es la única persona que sabe la verdad.
真実を知っているのは彼女だけだ。
진실을 아는 사람은 그녀뿐이다.
I only have five pounds left.
我只剩五英镑了。
Solo me quedan cinco libras.
5ポンドしか残っていない。
5파운드밖에 남지 않았다.
If only I had listened to your advice.
要是我听了你的建议就好了。
Si tan solo hubiera escuchado tu consejo.
あなたのアドバイスを聞いていればよかったのに。
당신의 충고를 들었더라면 좋았을 텐데.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'ānlīc', meaning 'unique' or 'solitary', from 'ān' (one) + '-līc' (-like). The sense narrowed from 'sole' to 'merely' during Middle English, gaining a slightly restrictive connotation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal