Can I use: "We only have known them for a short time"?

Question

Can I use a sentence with this structure?

We only have known them for a short time

or needs to be?

We have only known them for a short time

Answer 1

The key to placing "only" in a sentence lies in choosing the part of the sentence to focus on. "only" places focus on the word, phrase or clause that comes right after.

The original sentence is:

We have known them for a short time

Now let me explain:

1. We only have known them for a short time. - Means that we "have known them for a short time" and not "seen, talked to or fought (for instance)". Thus "have known" is focused.

2. We have only known them for a short time. Here the focus is on the entire second part "known the for a short time" with a stressed "known".

3. We have known only them for a short time. Means that "we have known only them" not someone else, just them "for a short time".

4. We have known them only for a short time. Means that "only for a short time" they have known them. Not for a long time.

5. We have known them for only a short time. This is quite like the previous one but with an emphasis on "short" rather than the entire part "for a short time".

6. We have known them for a short time only. Stresses the entire sentence.

And finally:

7. Only we have known them for a short time. Means that it was only us, not someone else who have known them for a short time.