some only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some only" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that only a portion of something is being referred to. Example: "Some only of the participants completed the survey." Alternative expressions include "only some" and "some just."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some only campaign.

The Economist

Some, only seconds.

The Guardian

Certainly some only children feel themselves different.

The Economist

Some only appeared on the internet.

The Guardian - Music

Proposed tax cuts lost (though some only barely).

The Economist

But some do not, or some only half do.

The Economist

Some had plastic shoes; some only had open-toed sandals.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some trains have eight carriages, some only have four".

The Guardian

Some shook their heads, some only stared, exhausted, straight ahead.

The New York Times - Food

The novel has 148 chapters, some only a paragraph long.

The Guardian - Books

So now there are some things I eat only in Europe, some only in New England, some only in the N.Y.C. area and so on.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "some only", ensure the context clearly defines what "some" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Some only of the apples were ripe", where "apples" specifies the group.

Common error

Avoid using "some only" when referring to a single, unique entity. The phrase implies a subset of a larger group, not an individual item. Use phrases like "just this one" or "only this" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some only" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a limited or restricted quantity of something. It is used to indicate that a particular characteristic or action applies to a portion, but not all, of a group. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some only" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote a limited portion of a group or set. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a determiner phrase, serving to qualify and restrict. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to ensure clarity by defining the scope of "some" within the context. Common alternatives include "just some" and "only a few". It is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just some

Emphasizes the limited nature, implying a small portion.

merely some

Highlights the insignificance or smallness of the portion.

only a few

Specifies a small number of items or instances.

a few only

Inverts the structure for slight emphasis, keeping the meaning intact.

partially some

Indicates that something is true or applicable to a certain extent.

some exclusively

Suggests that the mentioned portion is limited to a specific group or purpose.

some limited to

Directly indicates a restriction or boundary.

restricted to some

Passive voice emphasizing the constraint.

confined to some

Highlights the limited space or scope.

certain only

Emphasizes that the condition applies only to a specific set.

FAQs

How can I use "some only" in a sentence?

Use "some only" to indicate that a portion, but not all, of a group or set possesses a specific quality or characteristic. For example, "Some only of the students passed the exam".

What phrases are similar to "some only"?

Alternatives include "just some", "only a few", or "merely some", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "some only"?

Yes, "some only" is grammatically correct and commonly used to specify a subset of a larger group. However, ensure clarity by defining what "some" refers to.

What's the difference between "some only" and "only some"?

While both phrases are similar, "only some" emphasizes the limitation more strongly than "some only". The choice depends on the desired emphasis in your writing.