The position of 'only' in the sentence affects the meaning. - I've got only one torch. [only refers to 'one torch', and this sentence would be used to answer the question "How many torches do you have?"] - I've only got one torch. [only refers to all the things that I have, and in this sentence would be used to answer the question "What do you have?" Despite the slight differences, I believe "I've only got one torch" is the more often used sentence, and hence sounds more natural.

In the English language, only is one of the most misused modifiers imaginable. Most of the time, we native speakers just "get it" in terms of what the writer means in his or her placement of only in a sentence. In formal written text, however, there can be a difference between, for example, "We only sell red socks" and "We sell only red socks." In legal documents, lawyers, for instance, may be a bit more careful in its usage. Have a look at what rules can apply to a little word such as "only." 1./ Only I love my wife. [Only is an adjective.] 2./ I only love my wife. [Only squints. It can be either an adjective modifying I or an adverb modifying love.] 3./ I love only my wife. [Again, only squints slightly.] 4./ I love my wife only. [An adverb modifying love.]

hmm.. If you ask me 'Michael, can I have your torch please?', I'd say 'But I've only got one!' I usually put 'just' in the same place as 'only', but there are some phrases in which the number is being really emphasised and 'just' goes after 'got', eg. 'I've got just one thing to say to you...' :)

Merlyn... because I am older, and was taught British English grammar and spelling in school, and have spent my life exposed to both British and American English, I do know that a British torch is equivalent to the American flashlight. In Canada, we say flashlight, not torch.

So Richard, as a Canadian you don't know what a torch is?