Could you explain the difference in meaning between the following two phrases

1) A is only surpassed by B

vs.

2) A is surpassed only by B


I know that in 1) "only" is limiting "surpassed" and in 2) "only" is limiting "B"....however I am not sure how the meaning of the sentence is changed by the placing "only". In my mind the two sentence still mean the same, Please help

In my opinion there is no difference between the two sentences. But statement 2 is better because it places "only" closer to the noun "B".

"Only" is used both as adjective and adverb, and should be placed next to the word to which it applies, preceding verbs/adjective/adverbs and preceding or following nouns and pronouns. So I always check whether "only" is used as adverb or adjective to adjust its position correctly.

Nauman

Thank You

I disagree. As I read them, there is a difference between the two sentences. In #1, we learn that the only thing that B does relative to A is surpass it. In other words, B doesn't do anything else. This is because "only" modifies "is surpassed".

In #2, however, we learn that the only entity that surpasses A is B (and not C or D, for example).

The meanings are different.

Rey