In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important. 在书面英语中，only 通常直接置于被修饰词之前。但在口语中，由于可通过重读指示修饰对象，故其位置并不太重要。
1
[ADV 副词]（表示比较而言唯一真实、恰当或必要的情况）只，只有 You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary.
[ADV with group]
Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb...
只有总统才能授权使用原子弹。
...the guidance and discipline that can be provided only by a strong male...
只有强有力的男性才能给予的指导和训练
Only here were the police visible in any strength at all...
只有在这里才能看到廖廖几个警察。
44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male of similar age for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only...
44岁女士寻觅年龄相仿、体贴诚实的男士为友，共享快乐。非诚勿扰。
A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base...
企业只有具备了稳固的经济基础才能立足和发展。
It's true that I seem to have forgotten you, but it only seems that way.
我看起来好像确实是把你忘记了，但那只是看起来而已。
2
[ADV 副词]（引出发生的必要条件）只有…（才） You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen.
[ADV cl/prep]
The lawyer is paid only if he wins...
只有官司赢了才支付律师费。
The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready...
英格兰银行坚持只有条件成熟才会降息。
Dark matter gives out no light and is detectable only because of its gravitational effect on visible matter.
暗物质不发光，它之所以能被发现，只是因为它对可见物质产生引力作用。
3
[ADJ 形容词]唯一的；仅有的 If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it.
[det ADJ]
She was the only woman in Shell's legal department...
她是壳牌公司法律事务部唯一的女性。
My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had—the only company.
我的猫古斯塔夫是我所有的一切——我唯一的伴侣。
That left Mr Dertliev as the only candidate.
那使得德尔特利耶夫先生成为唯一的候选人。
4
[ADJ 形容词]（孩子）独生的，仅有的 An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters.
[ADJ n]
Usage Note :
When only is used as an adverb, its position in the sentence depends on the word or phrase it applies to. If only applies to the subject of a clause, you put it in front of the subject. Only strong characters can make such decisions. Otherwise, you normally put it in front of the verb, after the first auxiliary, or after the verb be. I only want my son back, that is all.. He had only agreed to see me because we had met before... I was only able to wash four times in 66 days. However, some people think it is more correct to put only directly in front of the word or phrase it applies to. This is the best position if you want to be quite clear or emphatic. It applies only to passengers carrying British passports... She'd done it only because it was necessary. For extra emphasis, you can put only after the word or phrase it applies to. The event will be for women only... I'll say this once and once only.
only 用作副词时，其在句中的位置取决于它所修饰的单词或短语。若 only 修饰句子的主语，则置于主语前，如：Only strong characters can make such decisions（只有坚强的人才能作出这样的决定）。除去此种情况之外，only 通常置于动词前、第一个助动词或 be 动词之后，如：I only want my son back, that is all（我只想要回我儿子，仅此而已），He had only agreed to see me because we had met before（他同意见我只是因为我们以前见过面），I was only able to wash four times in 66 days（我66天才做到洗了4次澡）。但有人认为将 only 直接置于它所修饰的单词或短语之前更恰当，这样可以表达得更清楚或更具强调意味：It applies only to passengers carrying British passports（这仅适于持英国护照的乘客），She'd done it only because it was necessary（只是出于必要她才这样做的）。若要进一步加强语气，可将only置于它所修饰的单词或短语之后：The event will be for women only（该活动仅限女性参加），I'll say this once and once only（这件事我就说一次，而且仅此一次。）
5
[ADV 副词](尤用于想要纠正错误观点时)只不过，仅…而已 You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.
[ADV group]
At the moment it is only a theory...
眼下这只不过是个推测而已。
'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements...
“我只是一名中士，”克莱门茨说道。
Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking.
别那么大戒心，查利，我只是开个玩笑罢了。
6
[ADV 副词]（强调数量少或时间短）才，仅仅 You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is.
[ADV n/adv]
[emphasis]
Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire.
儿童汽车坐椅一周的租金才10英镑。
...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams...
仅有几克重的宇宙飞船导航系统
My father allowed me only a sip or two of wine with each meal...
我父亲每餐只许我喝一两口酒。
I've only recently met him.
我最近才认识他。
7
[ADV 副词]（强调是其中的一小部分，而非全部）只，仅仅 You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it.
[ADV n]
[emphasis]
These are only a few of the possibilities...
这些仅仅是其中几种可能。
Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution.
只有少数人支持这场革命。
8
[ADV 副词]（用于 can 或 could 之后，强调除此以外别无可为）只（能）Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned.
[modal ADV inf]
[emphasis]
For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look...
我有那么一会儿一句话都说不出来，只能站在那里看着。
The police can only guess at the scale of the problem.
警方只能猜测问题的严重性。
9
[ADV 副词]（强调希望或愿望）唯有，非常 You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing.
[ADV before v]
[emphasis]
I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me...
现在我的境况好转了，我真希望他能在这里。
We can only hope that the elephants can recover.
我们唯有希望这些大象能够康复。
10
[CONJ-SUBORD 连词]（用于表示稍加改动或限定）只是，不过Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said.
[INFORMAL 非正式]
It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real...
这就像电影一样充满戏剧性，不过这是真实发生的。
It's a bit like my house, only nicer...
这有点像我的房子，只是更为漂亮。
Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it.
方便的时候来我这里坐坐，只是别让我等太久。
11
[CONJ-SUBORD 连词]（用于含有 would 的从句后，引出未做某事的原因）要不是，若非Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done.
[SPOKEN 口语]
I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way...
要不是路太远，我一定会邀你一同前往。
I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there.
我是很乐意去的，只是不知道孩子们会不会喜欢住在那里。
12
[ADV 副词]（用于不定式前）不料，结果却 You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate.
[ADV to-inf]
Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting...
赖尔试着找了大使馆，却被告知休正在开会。
He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed.
他飞快地跑过起居室，却发现前门锁上了。
13
[ADV 副词]（强调行动或行为恰当）完全，真正 You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is.
[usu ADV adj]
[emphasis]
It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply...
告诉她你打算申请，这才算公平嘛。
She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected.
她看起来变化很大，不过这完全是在意料之中的。
14
[ADV 副词]（用于动词前，表示结果令人遗憾或不受欢迎）愈加，只（会） You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.
[ADV before v]
The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians...
禁运只会殃及无辜的百姓。
She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems.
她说卖淫合法化只会引发问题。
15
[PHRASE 短语]只要（做…）即可 If you say you only have to or have only to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved.
[V inflects]
[emphasis]
Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask...
亲爱的，你什么时候需要人帮忙照看孩子，只要开口说一声就行。
We have only to read the labels to know what ingredients are in foods.
我们只要看一下标签即可知道食品的成分。
16
[PHRASE 短语]刚才；刚刚 You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago.
[PHR before v]
[emphasis]
I've only just arrived...
我刚到。
The signs of an economic revival are only just beginning...
经济复苏的迹象刚刚开始显现。
You're only just back from leave.
你才刚休假回来。
17
[PHRASE 短语]仅仅；勉强 You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all.
[usu PHR before v]
[emphasis]
For centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive...
几个世纪以来，那里的农民只能勉强维持生计。
I am old enough to remember the Blitz, but only just...
伦敦空袭那阵我已开始记事，但也只是仅仅有些模糊的印象。
'I think we could agree on that one.' — 'Only just.'
“我想在那一点上我们是一致的。”——“勉强算是吧。”
18
[PHRASE 短语]太；极 You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like.
[PHR adv/adj]
[emphasis]
I know only too well that plans can easily go wrong...
计划很容易出岔子，我太清楚这点了。
When the new baby comes along it is only too easy to shut out the others.
新生儿出世后，其他孩子极容易受到冷落。
19
[PHRASE 短语]（强调乐意）极，非常 You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it.
[PHR adj]
[emphasis]
I'll be only too pleased to help them out with any queries.
我非常乐意为他们答疑解惑。
20
if only→see:
if
； not only→see:
not
； the one and only→see:
one
；
Oxford
only★/ˈəʊnli; NAmEˈoʊnli/
adjective
,
adverb
,
conjunction
adjective★[only before noun ]1★used to say that no other or others of the same group exist or are there 仅有的；唯一的◆She's their only daughter.她是他们的独生女。◆We were the only people there.我们是唯一在场的人。◆His only answer was a grunt.他唯一的回答就只是哼了一声。2★used to say that sb/sth is the best and you would not choose any other 最好的；最适当的◆She's the only person for the job.她是这项工作最合适的人选。IDIOM★the only thing ˈis…( informal) used before mentioning a worry or problem you have with sth 问题是；麻烦的是；只是；不过◆I'd love to come—the only thing is I might be late.我很想去，只不过我可能会迟到。☞more at
name
n.,
one
numberdet.adverb★1★nobody or nothing except 只；只有；仅◆There are only a limited number of tickets available.剩下的票数量很有限。◆The bar is for members only.这间酒吧只对会员开放。◆You only have tolook at her to see she doesn't eat enough. 你只消看一眼就知道她吃得不够多。◆Only five people turned up.只来了五个人。2★in no other situation, place, etc. 仅在…情况下（或地点等）◆I agreed, but only because I was frightened.我当时同意只是因为我受到了惊吓。◆Children are admitted only if accompanied by an adult.儿童必须有成年人陪同方可入场。HELPIn formal written English only,or only ifand its clause, can be placed first in the sentence. In the second part of the sentence, be,do,have,etc. come before the subject and the main part of the verb. 在正式书面英语中，only 或 only if 及其从句可置于句首。在句子的其余部份，be、do、have 等置于主语及主要动词前：◆Onlyin Paris doyou find bars like this. ◆Only ifthese conditions are fulfilled canthe application proceed to the next stage. 3★no more important, interesting, serious, etc. than 只不过；仅…而已◆It was only a suggestion.这只是个提议罢了。◆Don't blame me, I'm only the messenger!别责怪我，我只不过是个传话的！◆He was only teasing you.他只是逗你玩玩罢了。4★no more than; no longer than 只有；仅；刚刚◆She's only 21 and she runs her own business.她只有 21 岁就经营起自己的企业了。◆It only took a few seconds.那只需要几秒钟。◆It took only a few seconds.那只需要几秒钟。5★not until （直到）…才；（只是）…才◆We only got here yesterday.我们昨天才到这里。◆( formal) Only then didshe realize the stress he was under. 直到那时她才意识到他所承受的压力。HELPWhen onlybegins a sentence be,do,have,etc. come before the subject and the main part of the verb. 当句子以 only 开始时，be、do、have 等词要置于主语和主要动词之前。6★used to say that sb can do no more than what is mentioned, although this is probably not enough 仅此而已；只能◆We can only guess what happened.我们只能猜测发生了什么事。◆He could only watch helplessly as the car plunged into the ravine.他只能眼睁睁地看着汽车冲落峡谷。◆I only hopethat she never finds out. 我唯有希望她永远别发现真相。7★used to say that sth will have a bad effect （用于说明事情的恶果）只会，愈加◆If you do that, it will only make matters worse.如果你那样做，只会乱上加乱。◆Trying to reason with him only enrages him even more.跟他讲理只会使他更加生气。8onlyto do sth used to mention sth that happens immediately afterwards, especially sth that causes surprise, disappointment, etc. 不料；竟然◆She turned up the driveway, only to find her way blocked.她开上自家车道，不料发现路已被堵。IDIOMS★not only… but (also)…both… and… 不但…而且…◆He not only read the book, but also remembered what he had read.他不但读了这本书，而且记得所读的内容。☞language bank at
addition
only ˈjust1not long ago/before 刚才；刚刚◆We've only just arrived.我们刚到。2almost not 险些没；差点没；刚好◆He only just caught the train.他差点没赶上火车。◆I can afford it, but only just.我的钱刚刚够买这个。only too…very 很；非常◆I was only too pleased to help.我非常乐意帮忙。◆Children can be difficult as we know only too well.小孩子往往很难对付，对此我们都非常清楚。you're only young ˈonce( saying) young people should enjoy themselves as much as possible, because they will have to work and worry later in their lives 行乐当及年少时；青春只有一次☞more at
eye
n.,
if
conj.conjunction( informal) except that; but 不过；但是；可是◆I'd love to come, only I have to work.我很想去，但是我要上班。◆It tastes like chicken, only stronger.这东西尝起来像鸡肉，只是味道浓一点。only/ˈəʊnli; NAmEˈoʊnli/
LDC
only1 adverb
only2 adjective
only3 conjunction
onlyon‧ly1 /ˈəʊnli $ ˈoʊn-/ ●●●S1W1 adverb
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
1not more than a particular number, age etc: Naomi was only 17 when she got married. There are only a few cars on the island. It’s only eight o'clock.2used to say that something or someone is not very important, serious etc: It was only a joke. It’s an interesting job, but it’s only temporary. They’re only small cuts, nothing life-threatening.3nothing or no one except a particular person or thing: Only the president can authorize a nuclear attack. We use only the best ingredients.women/men/residents etc only The car park is for staff only.4used to say that something happens or is possible in one particular situation or place and no others, or for one particular reason: I’ll tell you, but only if you don’t tell anyone else. I ate the food, but only because I was starving. The transfer takes place only when the data is complete.GRAMMAR: Word order• Only usually comes between the subject and the main verb: · I only saw two people.• Only usually comes between an auxiliary verb and a main verb: · I can only see two people.• When you want to emphasize what you are saying, you sometimes use only at the beginning of a sentence, and put the auxiliary verb before the subject: · Only later did I understand what she meant.· Only by improving social and economic conditions can good health be achieved.5no earlier than a particular timeonly yesterday/last week/recently ‘When did you email her?’ ‘Only yesterday.’only then did/would/could etc somebody do something (=at that moment and not before) Only then did she tell him about the attack.6only just British Englisha)a very short time ago: She’s only just got up.b)almost notSYN barely: I only just finished my essay in time.7can only hope/wait etc used to say that it is not possible to do more than hope etc: We can only hope it won’t rain on the day.8I can only think/suppose/assume (that) spoken used when you are giving a reason for something, to say that you do not know something for certain but think that this is the only possible reason: I can only assume that it was a mistake.9I only wish/hope spoken used to express a strong wish or hope: ‘What’s happening?’ ‘I only wish I knew.’10if only spoken used to express a strong wish: If only he’d call!11you’ll only spoken used to tell someone that what they want to do will have a bad effect: Don’t interfere – you’ll only make things worse.12you only have to read/look at/listen to etc something spoken used to say that it is easy to know that something is true because you can see or hear things that prove it: You only have to look at the statistics to see that things are getting worse.13only to used to say that someone did something, with a disappointing or surprising result: I arrived only to find that the others had already left.14only too very: Prices have risen sharply, as we know only too well. Mark was only too happy to agree with her. → not only ... but (also)
at not(4)
, → only have eyes for somebody
at eye1(32)
, → for somebody’s eyes only
at eye1(25)
only1 adverb
only2 adjective
only3 conjunction
onlyonly2 ●●●S1W1 adjective [only before noun]
Word Origin
Examples
Collocations
Phrases
1used to say that there is one person, thing, or group in a particular situation and no others: I was the only woman there. He is our only child. I was the only one who disagreed. Cutting costs is the only solution. She’s the only person for this job.2the only thing/problem is ... spoken used when you are going to mention a problem or disadvantage: I could take you. The only thing is Dan might need the car.3an only child a child who has no brothers or sisters → the one and only
at one4(2)
, → (only) time will tell
at time1(36)
only1 adverb
only2 adjective
only3 conjunction
onlyonly3 ●○○ conjunction spoken
Examples
Collocations
Phrases
used like ‘but’ to give the reason why something is not possibleSYN except (that): I’d offer to help, only I’m really busy just now.
open
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