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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

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

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (22,568)

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

Anonymous

#290119 Tue, 07 Nov 06 05:08 AM

1. is correct.

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