Question tag — Only can he do this when I am here...

[man of manners]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot] Hi!
This is a new thread in which we will discuss some problematic sentences that need suitable question tags.
[FONT=&quot][/FONT]The sentence is:
Only can he do this when I am here,........?
My opinion: "can he?"
Thanks in advance! [/FONT][FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

 

[GoesStation]

Do you mean He can only do this when I am here? If so, the only possible question tag is ...right?

 

[man of manners]

Do you mean He can only do this when I am here?

Yes, It means this.

If so, the only possible question tag is ...right?

"right" is an all-purpose substitute for a question tag. but I think that there has to be some question tag acceptable.

 

[GoesStation]

"right" is an all-purpose substitute for a question tag. but I think that there has to be some question tag acceptable.

There doesn't and, in this case, there isn't.

 

[man of manners]

He can only do this when I am here, can't he? seems acceptable to me in some contexts.

In other contexts, can you accept "can he?" with the inverted sentence "Only can he do this.."
I think inversion adds emphasis, which makes us use a positive question tag for showing a particular emotion.

 

[Roman55]

I think it's possible (albeit pretentious or perhaps archaic) in English, but it is declarative, not interrogative, and the question tag would still be, 'can't he?' or even 'can he not?'

 

[man of manners]

No. 'Only can he do this' is not possible in English.

Oh, yes. You are right.
What if it is "Only by guessing can you solve this puzzle"?

 

[GoesStation]

Oh, yes. You are right.
What if it is "Only by guessing can you solve this puzzle"?

Nobody would append a question tag to that statement. The "only by" construction is used to add emphasis, while a question tag is used to reduce it. They're not compatible.

 

[man of manners]

The "only by" construction is used to add emphasis, while a question tag is used to reduce it. They're not compatible.

The question tag cannot reduce emphasis because it doesn't ask for confirmation but it is a rhetorical device.
Sometimes you can be so confident then turn less confident suddenly for an humorous effect for example often with a sarcastic smile or a surprised or sarcastic smile on the face. What do you think?

 

[man of manners]

some form of confirmation is usually expected.

Asking for conformation is what I meant.