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I'm having a lot of trouble translating statements that use the word 'only'. I know that if you see 'only if' you treat it like a 'then', but if 'only' shows up by itself, with no 'if' in sight, it seems like it can be with the necessary OR the sufficient clause.

Can anyone help clear this up?

Thanks in advance!

what shows up after only is the necessary condition.

warandpeace wrote:what shows up after only is the necessary condition.

Is that always true? I was just looking at an example that was something like "the only time miracles can happen is Christmas". It said that it translated to "If miracle, then Christmas". But you're saying that "miracles" would be the necessary, which would be "If Christmas, then miracles".

See why I'm confused?

Lyanna wrote:

warandpeace wrote:what shows up after only is the necessary condition.

Is that always true? I was just looking at an example that was something like "the only time miracles can happen is Christmas". It said that it translated to "If miracle, then Christmas". But you're saying that "miracles" would be the necessary, which would be "If Christmas, then miracles".

See why I'm confused?

when it's "the Only," that's different. Christmas would be the necessary. When it's "the only," the sufficient comes immediately after

I never even came across this before. awesome.

I treat as necessary conditions for what comes after:
Only
Only if
Only when

but for sufficient
The only

I believe PS had a list of words for these things.

kiyoku wrote:I never even came across this before. awesome.

I treat as necessary conditions for what comes after:
Only
Only if
Only when

but for sufficient
The only

I believe PS had a list of words for these things.

This is exactly what I was going to post. TCR.