only

seul, unique

La seule personne ou chose disponible ou possible, sans aucune autre.

En anglais simple : The one person or thing available or possible, with no others.

• This is the only key.
• She was the only woman on the team.
• Is that our only choice?

Synonymes : sole, single

Expressions courantes : the only way, the only person, only option, only doctor

unique, seul

Sans frères ni sœurs, ou seul fils ou seule fille de la famille.

En anglais simple : Having no brothers or sisters, or being the one son or daughter in a family.

• I am an only child.
• Their only son lives abroad.
• She is their only daughter, but she has two brothers.

Expressions courantes : only child, only son, only daughter

seulement, uniquement

Limite ce dont on parle à une quantité, une personne, une chose ou une action précise.

En anglais simple : Used to limit something to a particular amount, person, thing, or action.

• I have only two euros.
• This room is only for staff.
• We only sell fresh bread.

Synonymes : just, merely

Expressions courantes : only three, only a few, only for someone, only look

seulement, tout juste

Indique qu’un événement vient de se produire ou s’est produit plus tard que prévu.

En anglais simple : Used to show that something happened very recently or later than you expected.

• She arrived only yesterday.
• We have only just finished lunch.
• I learned about the change only last week.

Synonymes : just

Expressions courantes : only yesterday, only just, only recently

mais, sauf que

Introduit un problème qui empêche quelque chose ou rend sa réalisation moins probable.

En anglais simple : You use this to explain a problem that prevents something or makes it less likely.

• I'd come, only I'm busy.
• She wanted to help, only she didn't have time.
• We could walk there, only it's raining heavily.

Synonymes : but, except that

Expressions courantes : only i forgot, only we can't

mais, à condition que

Sert à ajouter une condition à quelque chose qu’on vient d’accepter.

En anglais simple : You use this to add a condition to what you have just agreed to.

• You can stay, only keep quiet.
• Take my car, only bring it back tonight.
• You may invite friends, only please tell me beforehand.

Synonymes : provided that, but

Expressions courantes : only please remember, only be careful