they were the only vs they were only

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and usage. 'They were the only' is used to emphasize that a particular group or thing was the sole one, while 'they were only' is used to indicate a limitation or restriction. It's important to use the correct phrase based on the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 884 views

they were the only

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to emphasize that a particular group or thing was the sole one.

This phrase is used to emphasize that a particular group or thing was the sole one among others. It highlights exclusivity or uniqueness.

Examples:

They were the only ones who knew the secret.
They were the only team to reach the finals.
They were the only guests at the party.

Show examples from the web [+]

They were the only ones to answer the note.
They were the only survivors of a freakish series of storms that destroyed their hometown.
He said once they were the only causes worth fighting for.
I took them because they were the only things that weren't broken.
They were the only present he wanted.
They were the only pair that she had.
And when you found out that his family was alive and that they were the only people who could identify you, you went after Sara Marku and Anila, the mother of your child.
They were the only two... that didn't cry at the funeral.
Everybody was working, and they were the only ones having fun.
Felt like they were the only friends I had.
And they were the only two aircraft on the radar screen.
It seems awfully strange they were the only ones poisoned.
Perhaps they thought they were the only ones invited.
And they were the only words I knew.
I always assumed they were the only ones involved.
She said they were the only two civilians.
It was because they were the only family that he'd ever known.
I had a great admiration for them, since I said to myself that they were the only interesting guys in the whole village.
Lucky they were the only ones that got hurt.
Indeed, in the fifteen years that succeeded the 1974 conference they were the only stage for institutionalised bi-regional political dialogue.

Alternatives:

They were the sole
They were the exclusive
They were the unique
They were the one and only
They were the single

they were only

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a limitation or restriction.

This phrase is used to indicate a limitation or restriction on something. It implies that there is a lack of something or a restriction on what was expected.

Examples:

They were only allowed to stay for an hour.
They were only given a small portion of food.
They were only able to visit one museum.

Show examples from the web [+]

The Germans said they were only social gatherings.
Those creatures - they were only the first.
I've gazed into the eyes of contract killers listening to them explain they were only trying to feed their kids.
I've gazed into the eyes of contract killers... listening to them explain they were only trying to feed their kids.
and when they were only halfway up
And still, they were only a third of the way through.
They were only 26p last week.
Fortunately for you, they were only holo-warriors.
Maybe they were only meant for you.
Once, they were only for feudal lords...
Actually, they were only digging in the wrong place because Indy had the medallion.
Please, they were only trying...
Canada told the press that they were only meeting to discuss trade.
Edmund said they were only pretending.
Last night, they were only talking about you.
I always thought they were only good for ruining picnics.
Yet they were only mandatory criteria on paper.
I just thought they were only into coed types.
Sir, it's obvious they were only interested in getting behind that door.
Furthermore, they were only made at a very late stage of the proceeding.

Alternatives:

They were just
They were merely
They were simply
They were solely
They were exclusively

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they were the only vs they were only