only
only — 形容詞
- onlypositive
- onliercomparative
- onliestsuperlative
1. used before a noun to show that one person, thing, or reason exists, or that no
唯一的
僅此一個，沒有別的
used before a noun to show that one person, thing, or reason exists, or that no other choice of the same kind would do.
Mia was the only student in class who finished the puzzle.
Mia 是班上唯一完成那個拼圖的學生。
the only + singular noun
This is our only key, so don't leave it on the train.
這是我們唯一的一把鑰匙，所以別把它留在火車上。
possessive + only + noun
Her only sister lives in Tainan and teaches science at a junior high.
她唯一的姊姊住在台南，在國中教自然。
The only reason Ken stayed home was his son's fever.
Ken 留在家裡的唯一原因，是兒子發燒了。
the only reason + clause
Of all the shoes in town, these were the only ones that fit.
鎮上那麼多雙鞋裡，只有這雙穿得下。
- the only child
- the only one
- the only reason
- the only way
- the only chance
- my only worry
- additional
means there is one more besides the first one
- other
points to a different person or thing instead of the unique one already named
文法句型
the only + noun
my/her/our only + noun
an only child
用法筆記
Usually placed directly before the noun: 'the only bus', 'my only chance', 'her only worry'. Distinguish from adverb sense 1, where 'only' limits the whole statement or amount instead of naming one unique noun.
常見錯誤
in name only
idiomDescribes something that is officially called a certain thing but does not actually have the qualities or power of that thing.
名義上而已
The committee exists in name only and never meets.
Is this a democracy in name only, or do citizens really vote?
one and only
idiomUsed to emphasize that a person is very famous or special, often when introducing them.
獨一無二的
Please welcome the one and only Maya Lin, our guest speaker.
He is the one and only singer who can hit that high note.
the only thing is…
idiomUsed to introduce a small problem or concern about a plan or suggestion.
唯一的問題是……
I'd love to go to the beach; the only thing is I have no sunscreen.
The car is perfect, the only thing is the price is too high.
only — 副詞
1. used to limit a person, thing, amount, time, or action, showing that nothing els
只；僅
限於所說的人事物或數量
used to limit a person, thing, amount, time, or action, showing that nothing else is included.
The museum opens only on Saturdays during the winter.
冬天時，博物館只在星期六開放。
only + prepositional phrase
Nora brought only two sandwiches for the hiking trip.
Nora 去健行時只帶了兩個三明治。
only + number
We only use this door after ten at night.
我們晚上十點後只用這扇門。
The children only wanted soup after the long bus ride.
坐了很久的巴士後，孩子們只想喝湯。
This card works only in the library printer upstairs.
這張卡只能用在樓上圖書館的印表機。
- only two
- only on Saturdays
- only with cash
- only after dark
- only for members
- just
often works in the same position, especially in speech
- merely
more formal and often used in writing
- solely
formal and stronger when stressing exclusiveness
- exclusively
formal and common in rules, notices, and business contexts
- also
adds something instead of limiting it
- additionally
formal way to show more items are included
文法句型
only + number
only + noun phrase
only + prepositional phrase
only + verb phrase
用法筆記
Place 'only' as close as possible to the word or phrase it limits. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, where 'only' describes a noun as the one and no other.
常見錯誤
2. in the fixed phrase 'only just', used to show that something happened a very sho
剛剛
表示就在不久前發生
in the fixed phrase 'only just', used to show that something happened a very short time before now or before another event.
Ava had only just sat down when the fire alarm rang.
Ava 剛剛坐下，火警警報就響了。
only just + past perfect
We only just arrived, and the concert was already ending.
我們剛剛到，音樂會就已經快結束了。
Daniel only just learned about the meeting this morning.
Daniel 今天早上才剛知道那場會議。
The train had only just left when Mei reached the platform.
Mei 到月台時，火車才剛開走。
Our guests were only just leaving as the rain began.
雨開始下時，我們的客人才剛要離開。
- only just arrived
- only just left
- only just heard
- only just started
- only just learned
- just
common in speech, but it can be less precise on its own
- recently
broader and does not suggest such a very short gap
- a moment ago
more explicit and often points to the present moment
文法句型
only just + past tense
only just + past perfect
only just + present perfect
用法筆記
Usually used with a completed event, often in the past tense or past perfect. Distinguish from sense 3, where 'only just' means a result was barely enough or barely successful.
常見錯誤
3. in the fixed phrase 'only just', used to show that something was barely enough,
勉強
差一點不成，幾乎不
in the fixed phrase 'only just', used to show that something was barely enough, barely successful, or very close to not happening.
Leo caught the last bus, but only just.
Leo 勉強趕上了末班公車。
only just at clause end
There was only just enough rice for the six children.
那些飯只勉強夠六個孩子吃。
only just + enough
Mina only just managed to lift the heavy box.
Mina 勉強才抬起那個重箱子。
The dog could only just squeeze through the broken gate.
那隻狗只能勉強擠過那扇壞掉的門。
Our plane landed on time, but only just.
我們的飛機雖然準時降落，但真的是勉強才算準時。
- only just enough
- only just manage
- only just catch
- only just fit
- only just in time
- easily
shows there was no difficulty or narrow escape
- comfortably
suggests there was more than enough time, space, or ability
文法句型
only just + enough
only just + manage to
only just + verb
only just at clause end
用法筆記
Often used with 'enough', 'manage to', or at the end of a clause after a narrow success. Distinguish from sense 2, where 'only just' focuses on how recently something happened.
常見錯誤
4. used in the pattern 'not only ... (but) also' to add a second fact, often one th
不僅
再加上一個相關事實
used in the pattern 'not only ... (but) also' to add a second fact, often one that makes the first fact stronger or more surprising.
Not only did Sara cook dinner, but she also washed every dish.
Sara 不僅做了晚餐，還把每個盤子都洗了。
fronted not only + inversion
The storm not only flooded roads but also cut power overnight.
那場暴風雨不僅淹了道路，還讓整夜停電。
not only ... but also ...
Not only was the room small, it was also freezing.
那個房間不僅小，而且還冷得要命。
This app not only tracks steps but also reminds users to drink water.
這個 app 不僅記錄步數，也會提醒使用者喝水。
Not only did Max miss the bus, he also lost his phone.
Max 不僅錯過公車，還把手機弄丟了。
- not only ... but also ...
- not only did
- not only was
- not only can
- as well as
adds another point, but it does not usually create the same balanced clause pair
- and also
simpler and more conversational, without the fixed structure
- besides
often adds an extra point more loosely, like an afterthought
文法句型
not only ... but also ...
Not only did + subject + verb ..., but subject also ...
Not only was + noun phrase ..., it was also ...
用法筆記
Usually paired with 'but also', though 'but' may be dropped in informal use. When 'not only' starts the clause, the auxiliary normally comes before the subject: 'Not only did she call ...'.
常見錯誤
5. used before a to-infinitive to say that one simple action is enough for another
只要
做這一件事就夠了
used before a to-infinitive to say that one simple action is enough for another result to happen.
If Maya needs a ride home, she only has to text me.
如果 Maya 需要人載她回家，她只要傳訊息給我就行。
only have to + verb
You only have to press this blue button to start.
你只要按這個藍色按鈕就能啟動。
Guests have only to show a passport at the gate.
訪客只要在門口出示護照就可以。
have only to + verb
The kids only had to say sorry to join again.
孩子們只要道歉，就能再加入。
Ramon has only got to call, and Dad will come.
Ramon 只要打個電話，爸爸就會來。
have only got to + verb
- only have to ask
- only have to press
- have only to say
- only got to call
- need only
more concise and slightly more formal
- simply have to
can stress how easy the action is, but it may sound less fixed
- all you need to do is
more explanatory and common in speech
文法句型
only have to + verb
have only to + verb
have only got to + verb
用法筆記
This pattern is followed by a to-infinitive. 'Have only to' is more formal, while 'only have to' and 'only got to' are common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
6. used to say that an action, delay, or argument will make a problem become worse
反而
表示結果只會更糟
used to say that an action, delay, or argument will make a problem become worse instead of helping.
Arguing with the guard will only make the line move slower.
跟警衛爭辯，反而會讓隊伍動得更慢。
will only make + result
If we wait another week, the leak will only get worse.
如果我們再等一個星期，漏水反而會變得更嚴重。
will only get + comparative
Skipping breakfast will only leave you tired before lunch.
不吃早餐，反而會讓你午餐前就很累。
More angry messages will only hurt the team.
再傳更多氣話訊息，反而會傷害團隊。
Hiding the mistake now will only cause bigger trouble later.
現在把錯誤藏起來，反而會在之後惹出更大的麻煩。
- only get worse
- only make things harder
- only lead to trouble
- only cause more pain
文法句型
will only get + comparative
will only make + noun phrase + comparative
will only cause + negative result
用法筆記
Usually points to an unwanted result, often with 'will' and verbs like 'get', 'make', 'leave', or 'cause'. The outcome is negative, not helpful.
常見錯誤
7. used before the reason something cannot happen, adding a tone of regret or apolo
只可惜
帶惋惜語氣補出原因
used before the reason something cannot happen, adding a tone of regret or apology.
I'd lend you my bike, only the back tire is flat.
我本來要把腳踏車借你，只可惜後輪沒氣了。
only + clause giving a regretful reason
We could eat outside, only the tables are still wet.
我們本來可以在外面吃，只可惜那些桌子還是濕的。
Rosa would call tonight, only her phone battery is dead.
Rosa 本來今晚會打來，只可惜她的手機沒電了。
The trip looked perfect, only Max had to work Saturday.
這趟旅行看起來很完美，只可惜 Max 星期六得上班。
- I'd ..., only ...
- we could ..., only ...
- would ..., only ...
- but
the usual neutral linker, without the extra apologetic tone
- except
works for a limiting fact, but is less natural in this spoken pattern
- unfortunately
adds regret, though it does not connect two clauses in the same way
文法句型
..., only + clause
I would ..., only ...
用法筆記
Usually comes after a pause and introduces the disappointing fact that stops the plan. Distinguish from conjunction sense 1, which states the reason more neutrally.
常見錯誤
8. used in 'if only' to make a wish, hope, or regret sound especially strong.
但願
加強希望或遺憾語氣
used in 'if only' to make a wish, hope, or regret sound especially strong.
If only Maya knew where Grandpa hid the old camera.
但願 Maya 知道 Grandpa 把那台舊相機藏在哪裡。
if only + past simple for a present wish
If only the rain would stop before the school concert.
但願這場雨能在學校音樂會前停下來。
if only + would + verb
If only we had left home ten minutes earlier.
但願我們早十分鐘出門就好了。
if only + past perfect for past regret
If only there were a cheap room near the station.
但願車站附近有一間便宜的房間。
- if only I knew
- if only we had
- if only there were
- if only ... would ...
文法句型
if only + past simple
if only + past perfect
if only + would/could + verb
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed pattern 'if only' plus a clause. Distinguish from 'only if', which gives a condition rather than a wish.
常見錯誤
9. used in a fixed informal pattern to react with annoyed surprise when someone doe
居然
帶責怪地說竟做傻事
used in a fixed informal pattern to react with annoyed surprise when someone does something foolish.
Liam only went and locked the keys inside the van.
Liam 居然把鑰匙鎖在廂型車裡了。
only went and + verb for annoyed surprise
The dog only went and ate Nina's birthday cake.
那隻狗居然把 Nina 的生日蛋糕吃掉了。
Ava's brother only went and told the teacher our plan.
Ava 的弟弟居然把我們的計畫告訴老師了。
Dad only went and left the train tickets on the kitchen table.
Dad 居然把火車票留在廚房桌上了。
- only went and
- only gone and
文法句型
only went and + past verb
only gone and + past verb
用法筆記
Mostly British and very informal. It is common in 'only went and ...' or 'only gone and ...' when the speaker sounds amused, annoyed, or both.
常見錯誤
only — 連接詞
1. used between two clauses to add the one fact that stops something from happening
只是；不過
補出唯一限制或例外
used between two clauses to add the one fact that stops something from happening or keeps the first statement from being fully true.
The cabin was quiet, only the old fridge hummed all night.
那間小木屋很安靜，只是那台舊冰箱整晚都在嗡嗡響。
only + clause adding one limiting fact
The hall looked ready, only one speaker had not arrived.
大廳看起來都準備好了，不過還有一位講者還沒到。
We could start lunch, only Dad was still parking the car.
我們本來可以開飯了，只是爸爸還在停車。
Marcus remembered every name, only he mixed up the twins.
Marcus 每個名字都記得，只是不小心把那對雙胞胎搞混了。
The map was useful, only the street names were outdated.
那張地圖還算有用，不過街名都過時了。
- only the old fridge
- only one speaker
- only the street names
- but
the usual everyday linker, but less focused on one restricting fact
- except that
closer in meaning and a little more explicit
- however
more formal and usually links separate clauses or sentences
文法句型
clause, only + limiting clause
用法筆記
Usually comes after the first clause and introduces the fact that blocks the plan or limits what was just said. Distinguish from adverb sense 7, which often sounds more apologetic or regretful.