How to Use “Only” Accurately in Your Scientific Writing

The word “only” is a modifier that is commonly used in scientific and medical writing. And where you place “only” in a sentence can affect the meaning of that sentence.

Example 1

Let’s consider the following example:

I ate the cupcake.

When we place “only” in different places of this sentence, the meaning of the sentence changes.

Sentence: Only I ate the cupcake.
Meaning: No one else ate the cupcake.

Sentence: I only ate the cupcake.
Meaning: I didn't do anything but eat the cupcake.

Sentence: I ate only the cupcake.
Meaning: I didn't eat anything other than the cupcake.

Sentence: I ate the only cupcake.
Meaning: I ate the one available cupcake.

Some scientific and medical authors will place “only” at the end of the sentence.

Sentence: I ate the cupcake only.

But this placement is actually a misplacement and should not be used.

Example 2

Let’s consider another example:

The medication can reduce hypertension.

When we place “only” in different places of this sentence, the meaning of the sentence changes.

Sentence: Only the medication can reduce hypertension.
Meaning: Nothing other than the medication can reduce hypertension.

Sentence: The medication only can reduce hypertension.
Meaning: The medication is limited to reducing hypertension.

Sentence: The medication can only reduce hypertension.
Meaning: The only thing the medication can do is reduce hypertension.

Sentence: The medication can reduce only hypertension.
Meaning: The medication can reduce hypertension and nothing else.

Sentence: The medication can reduce hypertension only. (misplaced modifier)

Helpful Guideline

How do you know where to put “only” in a sentence? A helpful guideline is to use place “only” immediately before the word or phrase that you want to modify.