# Grammar Question...use of "only" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 27, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336 "2004-09-27T18:55:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wisernow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/1 "2004-09-27T18:55:15Z")
“Residents are supposed to have all required keys with them when leaving or entering the building. Please be advised that the building staff will **only** allow access to the apartment if there is an emergency.” “Residents are supposed to have all required keys with them when leaving or entering the building. Please be advised that the building staff will allow access to the apartment **only** if there is an emergency.” My native language is not English. Which of the above statements is correct? Why? What is the difference in the meanings conveyed that makes one correct or wrong compared to the other? ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/2 "2004-09-27T19:02:25Z")
Both are correct, and both have the same meaning. The placement of only would change the meaning if used in either of the following: Building staff will allow access **only** to the apartment in case of emergency. **Only** building staff will allow access to the apartment in case of emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/3 "2004-09-27T19:03:50Z")
AFAIK, barring some subtlety I’m missing, both are perfectly correct usages. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/4 "2004-09-27T19:05:31Z")
The second one is the correct one for the context. > [@wisernow](#): > > “Please be advised that the building staff will **only** allow access to the apartment if there is an emergency.” suggests that the building staff will allow access, but will do nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/5 "2004-09-27T19:27:07Z")
Either position for the “only” is fine, though I like the second, for the reason **GorillaMan** states. But if I read that sign, I might think: 😕 Even if I have my keys with me, the staff won’t let me come in unless there’s an emergency? Perhaps replacing “allow” with “provide” would make the meaning clearer? ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/6 "2004-09-27T19:41:00Z")
The statements could actually each be read several different ways. > [@](#): > > “Residents are supposed to have all required keys with them when leaving or entering the building. Please be advised that the building staff will **only** allow access to the apartment if there is an emergency.” The staff will only allow access and nothing else if there is an emergancy. The staff allow access only to the apartment in the case of an emergency and not allow access to anywhere else. The staff will allow access to the aparment only in the case of an emrgency. > [@](#): > > “Residents are supposed to have all required keys with them when leaving or entering the building. Please be advised that the building staff will allow access to the apartment **only** if there is an emergency.” The staff will allow access only in the case of an emergency and not at other times. The staff allow access only to the apartment in the case of an emergency and not allow access to anywhere else. The staff will allow only allow access to the aprtment and not do anything else. It kinda depends on what you decide the “only” is modifying. But, I think you’re trying to say that the building staff will not let you in if you’ve forgotten your keys unless there is an emergency. I’d rephrase the sentence. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/7 "2004-09-27T19:45:06Z")
Going with **GorillaMan**. Sure, you’ll get access, but don’t expect a blowjob. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/8 "2004-09-27T19:48:46Z")
Many years ago, CBS had an “essay on grammar” in whiuch they illustred the different meanings of sentences, depending upon where you placed “only”: **Only I punched Walter Cronkite in the nose. I only punched Walter Cronkite in the nose. I punched only Walter Cronkite in the nose. I punched Walter Cronkite in the nose only.** Somebody musta had it in for the avuncular and undislodegable Cronkite. ---
**Author:** ![W.Fikere\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@W.Fikere\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/W.Fikere_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/9 "2004-09-27T20:26:03Z")
As you can probably tell from the responses, the word _only_ can be very ambiguous. I would advise cutting it out. I would also cut out meaningless verbiage and vague officialese, which just make things harder to understand. Here’s my suggestion: > [@](#): > > Residents should have all required keys with them when entering and leaving the building. Building staff will not unlock apartments for anyone unless there is an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Roches](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc8723/32.png) [@Roches](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roches)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/10 "2004-09-27T21:53:26Z")
I agree that cliché official-sounding or polite-sounding phrases should be avoided whenever possible – phrases like ‘please be advised’, ‘just to inform you’, ‘for your information’, and (worst of all) ‘we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause’. Also, ‘supposed’ is a bit informal and can also be ambiguous. In this case, ‘supposed’ could also mean ‘assumed’, rather than ‘expected’. To make it sound friendier, one could use ‘you’ rather than ‘residents’ as the subject: ‘Please check that you have your keys before leaving the building. The building staff will not unlock your apartment unless there is an emergency.’ Regarding the use of ‘only’, I like the second usage better. Both are reasonably correct, but ‘only’ isn’t really necessary. Another possibility is ‘Building staff will allow access to the apartment in case of emergency only.’ Note that this sentence (regardless of the placement of ‘only’) is not entirely clear about to whom the building staff will provide access. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/11 "2004-09-27T22:27:51Z")
Only is a fairly slippery word in colloquial English, owing to its several different-but-related meanings and its ability to function as both adverb and adjective. One classic example was ringing the changes on the old evergreen song title, “I Only Have Eyes for You.” “I only have eyes for you.” (None of the other girls/guys are of interest – though it could also carry the meaning that eyes are all I have for you; look elsewhere for lips and tongue.) “Only I have eyes for you.” (Everybody else thinks you’re ugly.) “I have only eyes for you.” (But my penis is directed elsewhere.) “I have eyes only for you.” (Good question whether it means #1 or #3.) “I have eyes for only you.” (#1 phrased differently) “I have eyes for you only.” (Ditto.) ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/12 "2004-09-27T22:40:38Z")
> [@Roches](#): > > (worst of all) ‘we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause’. No, no, no…the worst one is “Polite Notice: …” It reminds me of the cliche “I’m not racist, but…” ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/13 "2004-09-27T22:45:41Z")
This is the correct one: “Residents are supposed to have all required keys with them when leaving or entering the building. Please be advised that the building staff will allow access to the apartment only if there is an emergency.” But what’s _really_ not helping in this sentence, more so than the positioning of the “only”, is the use of the passive “allow”. This alone makes the meaning unclear and causes the “only” to have a suggestion of ambiguity. The staff aren’t be asked to “allow” access in an emergency, they are being asked to get keys and unlock the door. It should say something more along the lines of “provide”. **Roches** is also right, it’s all needlessly verbose in an effort to sound officious. The 'Please be advised" and “supposed to” are pointless additions and only further confuse what should be straightforward instructions. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/14 "2004-09-28T01:55:13Z")
“Only” is probably the most misplaced modifier in the English language, as can be shown by your example. Since the intent of the sentence is to allow access only if there is an emergency (and not to only allow access), the second example is the only correct one. In the last sentence, the “only” can be placed before “the second example” without changing the meaning, but in your sentence, the placement of the “only” changes the meaning. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/15 "2004-09-28T04:27:35Z")
“Only” should be placed adjacent to the word that you wish it to modify to avoid confusion. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/16 "2004-09-28T06:19:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Residents are advised to have all requisite keys with them when leaving or entering the building. The building staff has been instructed to only allow access to an apartment in case of emergency. How’s this? :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2004, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-use-of-only/266336/17 "2004-09-28T08:08:59Z")
All current residents are hereby advised of the following official policy: When entering or exiting the premises, said residents are required to be in possession of all necessary keys. Employees of the building are not authorized to assist in gaining entry to any apartment unless there is an emergency.