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Diego Alexander
Community TutorHi guys, I have a question:
In the next sentence, why "late" is after "only":
-Stop making a fuss. He's only late a couple of minutes.
Would be possible to say:
-Stop making a fuss. He's only a couple of minutes late.
Is it correct or just the first one?
Aug 18, 2021 5:04 PM
Answers · 12
1
Both are fine.
You could also say
He’s late by only a couple of minutes.
August 18, 2021
1
Soy gringo.
Both versions are okay.
Ambas versiones están bien.
En esta situación, "sólo" funciona de manera similar a "simplemente" o "meramente" o quizás "solo".
La idea es que la cantidad sea tan pequeña que no sea gran cosa.
Por ejemplo:
- The shoes only cost five dollars.
- The store is only 10 minutes away.
- I am only joking.
- I have only known him for two days.
¡Buena suerte!
August 18, 2021
1
Both are fine.
The first one is equivalent to "He is only late (by) a couple of minutes."
August 18, 2021
1
The 2nd sentence is correct, in the first one you should have said "he is only late by couple of minutes"
August 18, 2021
1
Both are fine, but I think the second one is slightly more common.
August 18, 2021
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Diego Alexander
Language Skills
English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Learning Language
English, Italian, Portuguese
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