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English grammar

Where only and even go, and what they change

C1 · Advanced Building the sentence Questions 10

The rule

Focusing adverbs — only, even, just, also, especially — attach to the part of the sentence they focus on, so moving them changes the meaning: Only I saw the email (nobody else did), I only saw the email (I did nothing more with it), I saw only the email (not the attachment). In speech only usually sits before the verb and stress shows the focus; careful writing puts it directly before what it limits. even works the same way: Even my father enjoyed it / My father even enjoyed the speeches. Mid-position adverbs (also, just, already, still, probably, never) go after be and after the first auxiliary but before a main verb: She is also a pilot, She has probably left, They still haven’t replied. Comment adverbs (Frankly, Surprisingly, Hopefully, Clearly) usually open the sentence and judge the whole statement.

Pattern

Only I … (nobody else) · I only … (nothing more) · … only the … (nothing else) · Even + subject · even + verb · be + also / still / probably · auxiliary + also / just / already + main verb · Frankly, / Surprisingly, / Clearly, + sentence

Examples

  1. Only the manager can approve the refund.

  2. The manager can only approve the refund, not pay it.

  3. Even the children noticed that something was wrong.

  4. Frankly, I don’t think the plan will work.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: She also is a qualified pilot.

    Right: She is also a qualified pilot.

    also goes after be but before a main verb.

  • Wrong: I have seen already that film.

    Right: I have already seen that film.

    Mid-position adverbs go between the auxiliary and the main verb.

  • Wrong: He speaks very well English.

    Right: He speaks English very well.

    Do not put an adverb between a verb and its object.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    Only Sam knew the password.

    1. Sam only knew it, he didn’t use it.
    2. Nobody except Sam knew it.
    3. Sam knew the password alone at home.
    4. Sam knew nothing but the password.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Nobody except Sam knew it.

    only before the subject limits the subject.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    Sam knew only the password, not the username.

    1. Nobody else knew the password.
    2. He was the only person at home.
    3. He knew it but did nothing with it.
    4. He knew just one of the two details.
    Show answer

    Answer: D He knew just one of the two details.

    only before the object limits the object.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Also she is fluent in Turkish also.
    2. She is fluent also in Turkish also.
    3. She also is fluent in Turkish.
    4. She is also fluent in Turkish.
    Show answer

    Answer: D She is also fluent in Turkish.

    also after be.

  4. 4Change the sentence.

    Make it clear that nobody else saw it.

    I saw the accident.

    1. I only saw the accident.
    2. Only I saw the accident.
    3. I saw only the accident.
    4. I saw the accident only.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Only I saw the accident.

    only before the subject: nobody else.

  5. 5This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    I have already not decided what to do.

    1. I have not decided yet what to do.
    2. I have not yet decide what to do.
    3. I have yet not decided what to do.
    4. I not have decided already what to do.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I have not decided yet what to do.

    In a negative, use yet, not already.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    _____, the cheapest option turned out to be the best.

    1. Surprise
    2. Surprisingly
    3. Surprising
    4. Surprised
    Show answer

    Answer: B Surprisingly, the cheapest option turned out to be the best.

    A comment adverb opens the sentence.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    What does even add?

    Even my grandmother has a smartphone now.

    1. That this is the least expected case
    2. That everyone else has none
    3. That grandmother has two phones
    4. That the phone is very cheap
    Show answer

    Answer: A That this is the least expected case

    even marks the most surprising case.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. We have just finished the report.
    2. We finished have just the report.
    3. Just we have finished the report.
    4. We just have finished the report.
    Show answer

    Answer: A We have just finished the report.

    just between the auxiliary and the main verb.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    He has probably forgotten about the meeting

    Show answer

    Answer: He has probably forgotten about the meeting.

    probably between the auxiliary and the main verb.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    Frankly, I don’t care what they think.

    1. They think I am frank, so I care.
    2. I frankly care about their thoughts.
    3. I care about what they think openly.
    4. To be honest, I don’t care what they think.
    Show answer

    Answer: D To be honest, I don’t care what they think.

    Frankly comments on the whole statement.

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