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Ask for help > cost only or only cost?
cost only or only cost?
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Greek Professor
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cost only or only cost?
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elaborate for me please....
Thanks in advance
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31 Oct 2012
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perma
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As in "it only costs..." / "it costs only..." ? Both I think. |
31 Oct 2012
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yanogator
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In a strict grammatical sense, "It costs only ..." is the correct form, because the "only" is modifying the amount, not the act of costing. In common usage, however, both are fine, and are probably used with about the same frequency.
That brings me to a complaint I always have about advertisers. They will put the word "only" before any amount of money, no matter how large, as if that will make people think it �s a bargain. I find it annoying. "This widget can be yours for only $750!" In my opinion, $750 is hard enough to come up with, that I would never consider it to be "only $750".
Bruce |
31 Oct 2012
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Greek Professor
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thanks perma...
but one answer is correct...and that is : only cost
so i would lik to know why...
thanks
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31 Oct 2012
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aliciapc
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Have you read Bruce �s clear explanation ?? |
31 Oct 2012
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yanogator
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Thanks for the support, Alicia, but my explanation can �t answer why "only cost" is the only correct answer (from a book, I would guess). GP would have to contact the person who gives that as the only correct answer to find out why.
Bruce |
31 Oct 2012
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PhilipR
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Without any context it is virtually impossible to answer these kind of questions adequately. Poster should elaborate before expecting a full explanation.
BTW, looking at common usage you�ll find that both are used.
This books costs only 20 dollars. This book only costs 20 dollars. I�d say if you did a survey quite a few respondents would go for option two. Like Bruce and grammar books say, it should be option one. That�s probably the why your exam question - because I guess that�s what it is - wants option one. |
31 Oct 2012
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Greek Professor
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Hey thanks guys...sorry...but i had not seen Bruce �s answer...maybe we posted at the same time....but after my message to perma...i rushed off to work.....
yes i read the explanations...and thanks alot...it became clear to me....
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1 Nov 2012
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