* Adverb: This is the most common usage. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, expressing limitation or restriction.
* Example: "He only ate half of his dinner." (modifies the verb "ate")
* Adjective: When used before a noun, "only" acts as an adjective, meaning "sole" or "single."
* Example: "This is the only way to solve the problem." (modifies the noun "way")
* Determiner: This is less common, but "only" can sometimes act as a determiner, similar to "the" or "a," specifying a particular noun.
* Example: "The only person who knew the truth was her." (modifies the noun "person")
It's helpful to look at the context of the sentence to determine the specific function of "only."