Prepared by: Bukhara State University Faculty of Philology and language teaching (English) student of 11-2ing 21 group Sharipova Maxsumabegim

 Restriction

•  Restriction

Restriction can be expressed by words like only, just, merely and simply, which combine negative meaning with the idea of exception. The word only can often be paraphrased as nothing but, no one except, no more than, etc.

Adverbs of addition, exception and restriction often focus their meaning on a particular part of the sentence. A sentence can be ambiguous, depending on the element that is focused, but contrastive intonation can help to clarify the meaning.

The word only is restrictive: it combines negative meaning with the idea of exception:

• The word only is restrictive: it combines negative meaning with the idea of exception:

He was wearing only his shorts. (= ‘he was wearing nothing but his shorts’) Only James had any money. (= ‘no one except James …’)

With expressions of amount and degree etc., only means ‘no more than …’:

Only a few banks have published their balance sheets. (= ‘no more than a few …’)

I know her only slightly. (= ‘… no more than slightly’)

Other words with a meaning similar to only are merely, simply, just:

She did not reply, but merely smiled, admitting nothing. I

don’t mind who wins the contest: for me it’s simply a matter of curiosity.

This offer is more to me than just a job.

Complete the following sentences in two different ways to bring out the ambiguity of the introductory clause. Underline the parts which are ‘focused’ in the two versions of each sentence.

• Complete the following sentences in two different ways to bring out the ambiguity of the introductory clause. Underline the parts which are ‘focused’ in the two versions of each sentence.

Example:	The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes,……….
⇒	(1) The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes, she didn’t want to steal them.
⇒	(2) The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes, she didn’t want to touch the jewels.
or:	(2) The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes, not the jewels.

1.The reporters only interviewed the Prime Minister,……….

2.Sarah isn’t just a keen tennis player,……….

3.The politician merely suggested changing priorities,……….

4.The police didn’t even try to deal with the worst types of crime,……….

5.We also had to underline the adjectives,……….

6.Thelma isn’t merely against modern music,………..

7.The young man not only envied his cousin,……….

8.Chris couldn’t even understand simple questions,……….

9.We didn’t just go to Arizona to meet Native Americans,……….

10.Tom was also fined for not wearing his safety belt,……….

I saw her only/just last week. (= ‘no earlier than’, ‘as recently as’)

• I saw her only/just last week. (= ‘no earlier than’, ‘as recently as’)
• Notice the contrast between only and even:
• Only my coat was wet. (‘that and nothing else’)
• Even my underclothes were soaked. (‘those as well as everything else’)

The restrictive meaning of only and just can be applied, in a slightly different way, to time:

Thank you for your attention