only

and nothing more

• “I was merely asking”
• “it is simply a matter of time”
• “just a scratch”
• “he was only a child”
• “hopes that last but a moment”

without any others being included or involved

• “was entirely to blame”
• “a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children”
• “he works for Mr. Smith exclusively”
• “did it solely for money”
• “the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone”
• “a privilege granted only to him”

with nevertheless the final result

• “He arrived only to find his wife dead”
• “We won only to lose again in the next round”

in the final outcome

• “These news will only make you more upset”

except that

• “It was the same story; only this time she came out better”

never except when

• “call me only if your cold gets worse”

as recently as

• “I spoke to him only an hour ago”

being the only one; single and isolated from others

• “the lone doctor in the entire county”
• “a lonesome pine”
• “an only child”
• “the sole heir”
• “the sole example”
• “a solitary instance of cowardice”
• “a solitary speck in the sky”

exclusive of anyone or anything else

• “she alone believed him”
• “cannot live by bread alone”
• “I”