about "only" and "until" Forum

[mz253]

hey, i know it must sound very stupid that i'm taking the june test but i don't know how these words work.

i wonder whether the following phrases are sufficient or necessary... (i will give my answer and can anyone help me correct?)

the only (ignore only, treat it as sufficient)
only if/only when (necessary)
until (necessary)

thanks!

[LSAT Blog]

the only = sufficient indicator

only if / only when = necessary indicator

until / except / unless / without = tricky indicator words


2 main methods for translating these tricky indicator words:

1. when you see these words, replace them with the phrase "if not"

2. take them as introducing the necessary condition (whatever immediately follows is the necessary condition), then take the other part of the sentence, negate it, and then that part will be the sufficient condition


for example:

"No X until Y" can be translated...


Using Method #1:

No X if not Y = If not Y, not X


Using Method #2:

If X -> Y

I personally prefer the 2nd way, but both are perfectly valid ways to deal with these annoying words.



Hope this helps,

Steve

[HiLine]

I am going to intentionally choose A as the necessary condition for each of the following explanations:

A is the only case where B could happen --> A is necessary
B happens only if A happens --> A is necessary
B does not happen until A happens --> A is necessary

[mz253]

thank you!