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Latest post Tue, Nov 7 2006 5:08 AM by Anonymous. 2 replies.
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Tung Quoc  +  290110 Tue, 07 Nov 06 04:59 AM

Hi,

Which is correct? (1), (2) or both?

1. He was only able to do that.

2. He only was able to do that.

Quoc
Tung Quoc
Joined on Sun, Sep 17 2006
Regular Member 870
Clive  +  290114 Tue, 07 Nov 06 05:06 AM

Hi,

1. He was only able to do that.

2. He only was able to do that.

I wouldn't say #2 is wrong, but #1 is certainly much more 'normal' and common.

You might also like to think about these.

He was able only to do that.

He was able to only do that.

He was able to do only that.

Only he was able to do that. 

Best wishes, Clive
Clive
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member 29,612
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
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Anonymous, 3 yr 17 days ago

1. is correct.

'Alone' could be used instead of 'only' in Question 2;  but it would change the focus and meaning of the sentence.

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