Anonymous  +  405766 Fri, 17 Aug 07 02:46 PM Hello! Considering the following sentence:                                  The child had two pair of shoes. If I decided to insert the adverb only, the answer would be:                                   The child had only two pair of shoes (isn't it ?). But would it be wrong if I also wrote: The child only had two pair of shoes  (?).  Is there any 'grammar explanation' in case both forms are correct? (because for me, in this case, this position change doesn't seem to alter the meaning of the sentence).         Thanks for your attention, Perla Anonymous Grammar, Verbs, Adverbs

	Grammar Geek  +  405772 Fri, 17 Aug 07 02:59 PM Generally, put the "only" just before the thing you mean to modify. If you put it before "had" I would not mistake your meaning - I would not think the child had two pairs of shoes but no clothes, for example. But there are other times when it could cause confusion. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,667 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Grammar Geek  +  405806 Fri, 17 Aug 07 04:26 PM You're welcome, Perla. Consider registering on the site - you won't have to wait for you posts to be approved (and we're a fun group!). Grammar Geek

	Philip  +  405828 Fri, 17 Aug 07 05:19 PM  Grammar Geek wrote: Generally, put the "only" just before the thing you mean to modify. If you put it before "had" I would not mistake your meaning - I would not think the child had two pairs of shoes but no clothes, for example. But there are other times when it could cause confusion. As I have stated before, this is my theory.  Confusion aside, I think it's just better writing. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen Grammar

	CalifJim  +  405905 Fri, 17 Aug 07 08:39 PM There have been quite a few discussions of this topic. See Post:341130. See Post:327055. See Post:362311. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,403 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Clive  +  405984 Sat, 18 Aug 07 01:03 AM Hi, Or you could say The only child had two pair of shoes. This means that the child had no brothers or sisters. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,622 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