Based on the passage, it can be concluded that the author and Broyles-González hold essentially the same attitude toward

Victoria on May 15, 2020

Hi @Julianna-Mathiellis,

The word 'only' is used twice in this passage and, in both cases, it is not used in the S&N context.

The world 'only' is considered to introduce a necessary condition, usually, in cases where it specifies the occurrence of a phenomena e.g. X happens only if Y happens or Y will do X only when Z does Q.

These statements can be rewritten as "if/then" statements e.g. if Y happens, then X will happen or if Z does Q, then Y will do X.

The phrase 'the only' is considered to introduce a sufficient condition e.g. X is the only person Y likes.

These statements can also be rewritten as "if/then" statements e.g. if Y likes a person, then they are X.

In this passage, neither use of the word 'only' fits these conditions.

"Other people do some research of their own, but just as often rely only on their broker or on hunches."

This sentence is not saying that, if people invest, they will rely on their broker or on hunches. This particular sentence could also be read without the word 'only' and still serve the same purpose in the passage. The point is that some investors do some research of their own but, just as frequently, will forgo doing their own research to rely on their broker or on hunches.

"Only a few always do their own research before investing."

The focus of this sentence is not to say that, if you always do your own research before investing, then you are part of a minority of investors. Rather, this sentence is saying that some investors always do their own research before investing.

Investor - some - always do own research

If you're confused about the use of the word 'only' in a passage, try rewriting it as an "if/then" statement to see if it still makes sense as an S&N statement.

There will be cases where S&N indicator words are used in passages but are not intended as such as above.

Hope this is helpful! Please let us know if you have any further questions.