The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook - Edward Woods, Rudy Coppieters 2002

12.3. Restriction
Unit twelve. Addition, exception and restriction

Sections 237-238

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.

Task ***

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, ...