"Do they have only" vs "Do they only have"

Question

"Do they have only" vs "Do they only have"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Do they only have" is used when you want to emphasize the exclusivity of having something, while "do they have only" is used when you want to emphasize the limitation of what they have.

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that the subject's possession is restricted or limited to a specific set of items or options.

Examples:

Do they have only one child?
She has only two pairs of shoes.
Do they have only three flavors of ice cream?
He has only a few friends.
Do they have only one copy of the book?

Alternatives:

have they only
have they exclusively
have they solely
possess they only
uniquely have they

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that the subject possesses something exclusively, without any other options or alternatives.

Examples:

Do they only have red apples, or do they have other fruits too?
I thought they only had one car, but they actually have two.
Do they only have vegetarian options on the menu?
Does he only have one brother?
She only has one chance to make a good impression.

Alternatives:

do they have only
do they exclusively have
do they solely have
do they possess only
do they uniquely have

Answer 1

Do they have only

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the limitation of what they have.

Answer 2

Do they only have

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize the exclusivity of having something.

"Do they have only" vs "Do they only have"

Do they have only

Do they only have

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