equation for ONLY

hihellohola

Hi 7sagers!
Although it's very basic, the word ONLY is bugging me time to time.
I wrote the conditional translations below. Are these correct?

given: The only reason that any problem remains unsovled is B.

Reason that any problem remains unsovled -> B


given: A is the only incentive that will be effective

incentive that will be effective -> A


given: Only reason that any problem remains unsovled is B

B -> reason that any problem remains unsolved


given: A is only incentive that will be effective

A-> incentive that will be effective

Thanks alot!!

UsernameChange

The first two are correct. The 2nd two are incorrect.

hlsat180

Your four examples actually use just one form ("the only...") which may explain part of the confusion. Specifically, your third and fourth examples are missing and ought to include the word "the":
- THE only reason that any problem remains unsolved is B (PU -->B)
- A is THE only incentive that will be effective (E --> A)

To answer the question, the word "only" refers to a Necessary Condition:
- "only..."
- "only if..."
- "only when..."

However, one form often precedes a Sufficient Condition:
- "the only..."

Technically "the only" still refers to the Necessary Condition (e.g., "the only reason [is B];" "the only incentive [is A]") but often in sentence order is followed by the Sufficient Condition (e.g., "that any problem remains unsolved;" "that will be effective"). Hope this helps.