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Updated on
8 Sep 2016
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Question about English (US)
What is the difference between He is a only child and He is only a child ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
What is the difference between He is a only child and He is only a child ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.
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- English (US)
The first one should be "he is an only child," because you use "an" before a word that starts with a vowel.
He is an only child = he has no siblings
He is only a child = he is young and immature. You usually say this to somebody who is being too cruel or demanding to a child.
- English (US)
- English (UK)
An "only child" has no siblings. Example:
"Mary was an only child growing up. She was often lonely."
When someone calls a child/youth "only a child", they emphasize their innocence, immaturity, lack of rationality, etc. Example:
"You can't except him to be rational! He's 12 (years old.) He's only a child."
"She can't watch that horror movie. She's only a child."
"Yes, he acted irresponsibly. But he's 16. He's only a child!"
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Related questions
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What is the difference between He is an only child and He is the only child ?
answerWell, he is only a child is correct not an only child and it means he is not grown up and possibly behaves as you expect from a child. the se...
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What is the difference between she is only a child and she is still a child ?
answerShe is only a child : This may refer to her being told something as an adult and she is in fact a child so this is lowering the fault of the ...
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What is the difference between She's a mere child and She's just a child ?
answerThey have the same meaning, but “mere” sounds a bit old fashioned
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What is the difference between He is an only child and He is the only child ?
answer1 = no siblings 2 = only child who ~~~ “He is the only child with that disease”
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What is the difference between He’s just a child. and He’s a mere child. ?
answerBoth are the same :) Mere is just a little more negative sounding
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