only

1. ADV 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. 只有

Only the president could authorize the use of the atomic bomb. 只有总统能授权原子弹的使用。

A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base. 一家企业只有在稳定的财政基础上才能开办并扩大规模。

2. ADV You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen. 只有…才[ADV cl/prep]

The lawyer is paid only if he wins. 律师只有打赢官司才会被付费。

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在它做好准备时才会降低利率。

3. ADJ If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it. 惟一的[det ADJ]

She was the only woman in Shell's legal department. 她曾是壳牌公司法律部惟一的女性。

4. ADJ An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters. 独生的[ADJ n]

The actor, an only child, grew up in the Bronx. 那位演员是位独生子，在布朗克斯区长大。

5. ADV 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 has or may get. 仅仅…而已

At the moment it is only a theory. 眼下，它还只是个理论而已。

"I'm only a sergeant," said Clements. “我不过是个中士，”克莱门茨说。

6. ADV You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is. (强调数量小或时间短) 仅仅[ADV n/adv] [强调]

Child car seats only cost about $10 a week to rent. 儿童汽车座椅租用一周仅花费约$10。

...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams. …重量只有几克的宇宙飞船导航系统。

7. ADV You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it. (强调只是一小部分而非全部) 仅仅[ADV n] [强调]

These are only a few of the possibilities. 这些只是其中的几个可能性。

8. ADV 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. (用于)(can)(或)(could)(之后，强调除此之外别无他法) 只[modal ADV inf] [强调]

For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look. 一时间我什么也说不出来，只能站在那儿看着。

9. ADV You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing. (强调愿望或希望) 确实[ADV before v] [强调]

I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me. 既然我的情况正在好转，我真希望他在这儿。

10. ADV You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is surprising or unfortunate. (用于不定式前) 不料[ADV to-inf]

Ron tried the embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting. 罗恩到使馆试了试，不料被告知休正在开会。

11. ADV You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is. (用来强调适宜性) 很[强调]

It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply. 让她知道你有意申请是很公平的。

12. ADV 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. (用于动词前) 反而[ADV before v]

The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians. 禁运反而会伤及无辜的平民。

ADV

1. CONJ Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said. (用来补充) 只是[非正式]

It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real. 这真和电影一样富有戏剧性，只不过它是现实。

It's a bit like my house, only nicer. 这有点儿像我的房子，不过更漂亮些。

2. CONJ Only can be used after a clause with "would" to indicate why something is not done. 要不是[口语]

I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way. 要不是路途太远，我就请你和我一起去了。

CONJ

1. PHRASE If you say you only have 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. 只要…即可[强调]

Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask. 亲爱的，任何时候你想要一个临时照看孩子的人，只要开口说就是了。

2. PHRASE You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago. 刚刚[强调]

I've only just arrived. 我刚刚才到。

3. PHRASE You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all. 勉强[强调]

For centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive. 几个世纪以来，那儿的农民勉强能维持生存。

I am old enough to remember the War, but only just. 我这个年龄足以记住那场战争，不过只是勉强记得。

4. PHRASE You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like. 极其[强调]

I know only too well that plans can easily go wrong. 我非常清楚，计划会很容易出问题。

5. PHRASE You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it. (强调乐意做某事) 太[强调]

I'll be only too pleased to help them out with any questions. 我将十分乐意为他们解决任何问题。

6. if only→see if

7. not only→see not

8. the one and only→see one