Question
Updated on
1 Jan 2015
- Simplified Chinese (China)
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English (US)
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Japanese
Question about English (US)
What is the difference between only and merely ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between only and merely ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
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- English (US)
They are similar. But only is used for more often and there are instances when it sounds more natural to use one over the other. "There's only one way to do it." This instance you'd just use only. "He merely missed the train." Merely is more time oriented. Only has broader uses.
- English (US)
In some cases the usage is the same - but 'only' is more versatile.
Merely = only = a word that describes something as being minor or unimportant
He's not allowed to negotiate contracts - he's merely an intern!
He's not allowed to negotiate contracts - he's only an intern!
He's not allowed to negotiate contracts - he's just an intern!
It's merely a small cut. No big deal.
It's only a small cut. No worries.
It's just a small cut. No problem.
But 'only' has other uses:
He's the only one with a key to the building.
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- Simplified Chinese (China)
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What is the difference between only and simply ?
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