It was only supposed to be vs It was supposed to be only

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'It was only supposed to be' emphasizes that something was intended to be limited or restricted, while 'It was supposed to be only' focuses on the placement of 'only' in the sentence. The choice between the two depends on the intended emphasis in the context.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 2449 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It emphasizes that something was intended to be limited or restricted.

"It was only supposed to be"

This phrase is used to express that something was intended to be a certain way, but only within certain limits or conditions. 'Only' is placed before 'supposed' to emphasize the restriction or limitation.

Examples:

It was only supposed to be a short meeting.
It was only supposed to be a temporary solution.
It was only supposed to be a small gathering.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was only supposed to be a 45-minute drive.
It was only supposed to be a temporary measure, but then Siobhan found out and threatened to expose Andrew.
It was only supposed to be a short trip, apparently.
It was only supposed to be a personal statement.
She was only supposed to be here a few days, and it's been three weeks.
Well, that case was only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but instead it went a year.
She was only supposed to disable the truck, not use Satan's ring to rob it.
! I thought the spell was only supposed to release the fairies.
I was only supposed to design cyber-animals for an unmanned exploration...
I thought this was only supposed to happen in the morning.
There was only supposed to be three guards in that bank.
I was only supposed to be on this station for a six month mission but I'm sure it's been years and years.
It's only supposed to block out malicious Fae.
It's only supposed to be a couple more miles.
Dingaan's recon team was only supposed to scout a two-mile radius.
The charade was only supposed to last long enough to get him to interrogation.
I was only supposed to stay here for a weekend, too.
She's been here two months and until a few days ago, this was only supposed to be a temporary thing.
I was only supposed to be here for a night or two, so...
He was only supposed to be in the Marine Corps for two years.

Alternatives:

It was supposed to be only
It was supposed to be just

This phrase is also correct and can be used in English. It focuses on the placement of 'only' in the sentence.

"It was supposed to be only"

This phrase is used to indicate that something was intended to be the only option or possibility. 'Only' is placed after 'be' to emphasize that particular aspect.

Examples:

It was supposed to be only a one-time event.
It was supposed to be only for members.
It was supposed to be only available online.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was supposed to be only in Prairie Dog's head.
The State guarantee was supposed to be only supplementary to the other collaterals for the loan.
Part-FCL reflects the JAR-FCL system where the instruction of applicants for an SFI certificate was supposed to be only undertaken by a TRI.
It was only supposed to be a short trip, apparently.
It was only supposed to be a personal statement.
This room was supposed to only have one doorway, not three.
I was supposed to only come down here for observation.
It was only supposed to be a 45-minute drive.
It was only supposed to be a temporary measure, but then Siobhan found out and threatened to expose Andrew.
It is strange, though... the beast is supposed to only attack enemies of the throne.
It's only supposed to block out malicious Fae.
It's only supposed to be a couple more miles.
And I was supposed to be the only person in the room who loved you.
This stuff was supposed to only be feed for animals in the United States, and it got into the human food supply, and somebody should've figured out that it would get in the human food supply very easily.
It's the onions - they're only supposed to sweat, but I think they fell down exhausted.
She was only supposed to be here a few days, and it's been three weeks.
Well, that case was only supposed to last a couple of weeks, but instead it went a year.
No, I'm only supposed to turn it over twice a week while he's on vacation.
You're only supposed to do it every three days.
It's only supposed to be used if someone hit DC with the big one.

Alternatives:

It was only supposed to be
It was supposed to be just

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It was only supposed to be vs It was supposed to be only