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China flagJIAYI TIFFANY QIN
Leaning Notes-20180619 in, after, later Eg. 1. I will go to the next training in one week, and I will come back home in two weeks. = I will go to the next training in one week, and come home a week later. note: use 'later to compare to a time that ISN'T now. Only Eg. 1. Only in Beijing people can afford Nike. 2. Only people in Beijing can afford Nike. 3. People can only afford Nike if they live in Beijing. 4. Only in Beijing can people afford Nike. note: 'only' can go in 2 positions, it can go before the subject, or before the verb. If it is modifying the subject, put it in front of the subject. If it is modifying the verb OR ANYTHING AFTER THE VERB, put it in front of the verb. a. Only Bob came to my party. V.S b. Bob only came to my party.

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Leaning Notes-20180619

in, after, later
Eg.
1. I will go to the next training in one week, and I will come back home in two weeks. = I will go to the next training in one week, and come home a week later.
note: use 'later' to compare to a time that ISN'T now. -- I disagree. I feel okay using 'later' when comparing to 'now'. "I'm still at work right now, but I'll be home later to put the kids to bed." -- Here 'later' means 'later than now'.

Only
Eg.
1. Only in Beijing people can afford Nike. -- This sentence sounds unnatural to me.
2. Only people in Beijing can afford Nike.
3. People can only afford Nike if they live in Beijing.
4. Only in Beijing can people afford Nike.
note: 'only' can go in 2 positions, it can go before the subject, or before the verb.
If it is modifying the subject, put it in front of the subject.
If it is modifying the verb OR ANYTHING AFTER THE VERB, put it in front of the verb. -- I don't think this rule will help you understand and use 'only'. You cannot learn how to use 'only' by learning abstract rules. Meaning and context is important.

For example

3a People can only afford Nike if they live in Beijing.

3b People can only afford basic supplies if they live in Liangshan.

Same sentence structure, different meaning. In 3a, the meaning is the same as "Only people in Beijing can afford Nike." In 3b, the meaning is that people in Liangshan can only afford basic supplies (because they don't have money for other things).

I don't think 'only' is very different from 只 in these situations. You might find it better to focus on meaning, and trust your own understanding.


a. Only Bob came to my party. V.S b. Bob only came to my party.

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