The function of "only" and "even"
I asked the same question of others and I still do not know why.
Even you should do it.
Only you can do it.
I think that Even and Only modify you respectiviely although it is an adverb, but some teachers do not agree with it. So I would like to hear from other experts here. What do you think?
Thank you so much as usual and have a good day.
1 answer 
Even is used to talk about surprising extremes- when people do more than we expect. Even most often goes mid-position.
She has completed her homework. She has even completed mine.
He speaks English well. He even speaks German.
Even goes at the beginning of a clause. when it refers to the subject of a sentence; and it can go just before other words and expressions that we want to emphasize.
Anybody can do this problem. Even you can do it/Even a child can do it.
He eats anything-even raw potatoes.
I work late at night, even on Sundays.
Only can be used a focussing adverb. It(Only) always comes before the subject it refers to.
"Only you can do it."
When it refers to other parts of a sentence, it often goes in mid-position.
She only called me on the phone last night.
She is only on duty on Tuesdays.
She was only making a noise in the classroom.
Ambigous sentences:
They only play poker on Saturday nights.
Another way of making the meaning more clear and precise is to split the sentence by using a relative structure.
Poker is the only game they play on Saturday nights.
Only with a time expression can mean "as recently as" or "not before"
My clothes will only be ready by Friday.
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answered Oct 20 '12 at 04:38
sanjay
Expert
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