Timeline for When should you use "erst" rather than "nur"?

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May 3, 2015 at 14:56	history	edited	Jan	CC BY-SA 3.0	Improved with quote formatting.
Sep 26, 2011 at 12:12	comment	added	Mac		The cookie example actually would make sense in a situation where someone habitually eats a whole box of cookies and is now on a diet: When reporting on their progress, they might say "Ich habe (dieses Mal) erst zwei Kekse übrig" - implying that on their next cookie binge they hope to be able to stop earlier, leaving more cookies in the box.
Jun 17, 2011 at 6:44	comment	added	Hendrik Vogt		@Debilki: OK, I see. Still, you might want to make it clearer that one shouldn't go and try to use the contrived sentences if one doesn't know exactly what one's doing. Nevertheless, have a +1 for the rain from me.
Jun 16, 2011 at 20:49	comment	added	Debilski		True. But in a way that is what helps explaining the whole thing. In most cases, übrig means that a certain amount might not increase anymore, whereas erst means it might. Still, too me it sounds like there might be a situation in which one might just be able to say it that way.
Jun 16, 2011 at 20:25	comment	added	Hendrik Vogt		The sentence "Ich habe erst zwei Kekse übrig" is more than a bit strange - it sounds just wrong. But the rain example is very nice!
Jun 16, 2011 at 19:35	history	answered	Debilski	CC BY-SA 3.0