Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[rice07]

Hi

I realize only is often followed by singular nouns, but sometimes plural nouns coming after only are also possible.

-- I'd love to come- the only thing is I might be late.

-- She's their only daughter.

-- We're the only people here.

-- Only five people turned up.

Here I'm having questions the parts in bold in the following.

...

It was " one of the only things that I've ever taken, as in stolen, something that wasn't mine, " he added as he sat on the floor of a band mate's apartment here. ...

________________

The above is an excerpt from newspaper talking about the members of a band. My questions are:

1. Don't you think the expression " one of the only things that ... " is odd?
(Although I know the expression " one of + determiner + plural " is fairly common in English, I don't quite make of the logic of this expression<one of the only things> yet.)

2A. the : used before an adjective to make it into a noun when you're referring to all the people who that adjective describes

the + adjective (the rich / poor / disabled / wounded ... )

-- She devoted her life to helping the poor.

-- parking facilities for the disabled

2B. the : especially spoken used before an adjective to make it into a noun when you're referring to a situation that that adjective describes

the + adjective (the impossible / ridiculous / insane ... )

-- Come on now, that's asking for the impossible.

2C. in + noun: using a particular way of doing something

-- The children are only allowed to write in pencil.

2D. as in stolen

I suppose as in stolen might be a short form expression of as in stolen (way/approach ...) like point 2A, 2B, to indicate which way he did to take thing(s) that wasn't / weren't his.

_____________________

Could you help me with those points? Thanks!

[Suzanne]

Hi!

You've asked a lot of questions--let me see if I can help:

1. "One of the only things" isn't odd; it a collation that means "one of the few things." Native speakers would use this phrase naturally. Sometimes, trying to brak down the parts gramatically doesn't work, like when using idioms.
2A. "the + adjective" here means an implied noun. You could also say:
-She devoted her life to helping the poor [people]. OR
-She devoted her life to helping the people who were poor.
-parking facilities for the disabled [people]. OR
-parking facilities for people who are disabled.
2B. "the + adjective" here makes the adjective act as a noun. Using a definite article makes the assumption that the speaker and listener already share information about the subject. It's similar to 2A, because a noun has already been given, or is implied. You could also say:
-Come on now, that is an impossible request.
2C. "in + noun" is another collation. It means using.
-The children are only allowed to write using pencil.
-The children are only allowed to speak in French (=using French)
2D. "as in stolen" = meaning, or the same as
-"one of the only things that I've ever taken, meaning stolen, something that wasn't mine."
Other examples:
-Taken? You mean, as in stolen?
-It's out of the question, as in, forget about it.

Hope this helps!

[rice07]

Hi Teacher Suzanne

Nice having you again!

In fact, my questions are point 1 and point 2D, because it is, due to my limited reading, the first time I've read these two expressions. Point 2A, 2B, and 2C, as far as I'm aware, are fairly common in newspaper and some books. But, anyway, that extremely helps facilitate my understaning over those points, because of your further developing them for me. Now something having been confusing are much clearer, and don't puzzle me any more. I can never thank you enough, indeed.

Have a good day!

Btw, with the greatest respect, Teacher, sorry for my asking, but I think it helps me absorb your elaboration to my questions. (Being English learner, I'm learning not only your offering answers to my questions but also your ways of wording and expression in the replies.) Did you say:

; it a collation that ... => ; it's a collocation that ...

trying to brak down the parts gramatically doesn't work, => trying to break down the parts grammatically doesn't work,

Again, sorry for my brashness. Well, excuse me.

I really appreciate what you've done for me.

Sincerely

rice07