在學習英語的過程中，我們常遇到only與其它詞或結構搭配來表達不同的意思，現將這些用法示例如下：

一、only引導的詞組或句子放在句首作狀語時，通常要用倒裝結構。如：

Only in this way can you solve the problem.

只有通過這種方式你才能解決問題。

Only if you study hard can you pass the exam.

只有努力學習才能通過考試。

Only then did I realize my mistake.

只有那時我才意識到錯了。

二、not only...(but also)出現在句首時，如果架連接的是兩個句子，常用倒裝。如：

Not only did we lose all our money,but we also came close to losing our lives.

我們不僅丟了錢，還差點把命丟了。

Not only did he speak correctly,but he also spoke easily.

他不僅說得準確，而且說得很輕松。

三、only放在不定式前面，常表示不愉快或出乎人們的意料的結果。如：

I went all the way to his home only to find hime out at a meeting.

我徑直到他家里去，不料發現他出去開會了。

I hurried to the post office only to find it closed.

我匆忙趕到郵局，不料已經關門了。

She went home only to find her house burglarized.

她回到家里，發現房子被盜了。

四、“too...to...”結構中，表示否定意思，但在“only too...to...”結構中，only too = very，表示肯定意思。如

The patient is too weak to walk.

那個病人太虛弱了，走不動。

We are only too willing to do it for you.

我們非常愿意為你做那事。

I am only too delighted to accept your king invitation.

我非常高興地接受你的邀請。

五、在“one of + 復數名詞 + 定語從句”的結構中，定語從句一般被看作修飾復數名詞，謂語要用復數形式。但在“the only one of + 復數名詞 + 定語從句”的結構中，定語從句卻被看作修飾“the only one”，謂語動詞要用單數形式。如：

This is one of the best novels that have been published in the past two years.

這是近兩年出版的最好的小說之一。

He was the only one of the boys who was given a prize.

他是這些孩子中唯一受到獎勵的。

She is the only one of the girls who has been to the US.

她是那些女孩中唯一去過美國的。

六、If only 為虛擬語氣的一種，表示愿望或一個未實現的條件，多用于感嘆句，其主句常常省略。如：

If only she would marry me!

她要是能和我結婚該多好!

If only he had known about it!

他那時要是知道這件事該多好!

If only you could have been here earlier that day!

要是你那天再早點到這就好了。

If only there were forty-eighty hours in a day.

要是一天有48個小時就好了。