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OK, here's my latest gripe!

(9 Posts)
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grannyticktock Fri 16-Nov-18 22:15:45

"She was one of the only people to... " etc. Heard this on the radio yesterday and again today.
It makes no sense. Either she was the only person, or she was one of the few people who did whatever it was.

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SueDonim Fri 16-Nov-18 22:21:46

That gets my goat, too!

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Leavingnormal Fri 16-Nov-18 22:22:30

Oh grannyticktock

I love these sorts of gripes. lol.

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Bellanonna Fri 16-Nov-18 22:54:25

They were the only people to (do whatever), and she was one of them. No?

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grannyticktock Fri 16-Nov-18 23:13:45

What you say, Belladonna, would make sense only if the particular group of people had already been defined, but that wasn't the case; and it would still be clearer to say, "One of the few..." Using "one" as as well as "only" to narrow it down is what's wrong, to my ear, because "only" already carries the meaning of uniqueness or singularity.

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Bellanonna Fri 16-Nov-18 23:26:56

Yes, I see grannyt. I would, in fact, use “one of the few” and it certainly sounds better, but did just wonder if the other version could make sense, Tks for the explanation.

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annep Fri 07-Dec-18 00:34:07

Hadn't thought about it before but yes, doesn't sound right.

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andycameron69 Fri 07-Dec-18 09:04:56

too negative and boring to drone on about such things

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Bellanonna Fri 07-Dec-18 09:08:00

Who’s “droning”, andy ? Plenty of other places to go and play ?

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