a sole copy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sole copy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an item or document that is unique and/or the only one of its kind. For example: "The only extant copy of the ancient text is a sole copy held in the library's archives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This volume offers the first critical edition of the newly discovered Aulularia (1629), which exists in a sole copy, and the fragments of Mater-Virgo (1621), which adapts Plautus' Amphitryo to show the Nativity of Jesus.

Cornell University

Last year, they unveiled a figure 8 de résistance when a sole copy of an album titled Once Upon A Time In Shaolin was auctioned on a website Paddle8site for several million dollars on the condition that the wealthy buyer didn't make the music commercially available for 88 years.

The Guardian - Music

The locus at chromosome 29 contains a sole copy consisting of a truncated form of the α-tubulin gene (LbrM.29.2700, ORF: 780 bp).

BMC Genomics

We therefore inserted the mutant rpsJ-S32A/D or the rpsJ wild type alleles at an ectopic site as a sole copy within the genome under the control of an inducible promoter.

BMC Biology

For this reason, we constructed a strain bearing a sole copy of pog1+-GFP pog1+-GFPbithatno abnormal growth phexhibited suggestino thabnormalminus tagrowthof phenotypes not affect itsuggestingal functhat.

BMC Genomics

This region is flanked on both sides by an IS 711 element (respectively BPI_II536-7 and BPI_II602-3), at a location where a sole copy of the IS 711 element is found in B. microti CCM 4915 (BMI_II545-6), as in all Brucella strains lacking this insert.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He died of a heart attack at 34, leaving behind a letter on animal cruelty published in Time magazine when he was 12 an unfinished novel that he started during the time he lived with Isherwood, and a memoir whose sole copy was burned by his mother.

Vice

This is not one of those taxi stories with a happy ending (the sole copy of the manuscript recovered; the priceless Strad delivered in time for the big concert).

The New York Times - Books

If a duplicate copy for a third party is the sole copy in the collection, it is filed by the original author; if there is indeed a duplicate copy, it is filed in the third party's folder.

University of California, Berkeley

The CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals stirred up outrage in September when he increased the price of a drug by 5,000 percent, and then again in December for buying the sole copy of a legendary Wu-Tang Clan album, and once more on December 16 for giving a bizarre interview with a hip-hop blog in which he claimed that his provocative antics and greed qualified as performance art.

Vice

The 32-year-old CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals stirred up outrage in September when he increased the price of a drug by 5,000 percent, and then again in December for buying the sole copy of a legendary Wu-Tang Clan album, and once more on December 16 for giving a bizarre interview with a hip-hop blog in which he claimed that his provocative antics and greed qualified as performance art.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a sole copy", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the copy unique or significant. Providing additional details can enhance the impact and understanding of its rarity.

Common error

Avoid substituting "a sole copy" with phrases that imply ownership or legal status, such as "copyrighted material" or "exclusive rights". "A sole copy" emphasizes the physical or existential uniqueness, not necessarily the legal protections surrounding it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sole copy" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, often appearing in contexts that highlight the unique existence of a specific item. This phrase emphasizes the absence of duplicates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sole copy" is a grammatically sound and effective way to emphasize the uniqueness and rarity of an item or document. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It commonly appears in scientific, academic, and news contexts, signaling that there are no other existing duplicates. Writers should note the distinction between its existential uniqueness and legal concepts like copyright. Related phrases include "the only copy" or "a unique exemplar". Overall, its primary communicative purpose is to underscore the singular status of the described item in a formal and precise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The only copy

Emphasizes the absence of other copies.

Only known copy

Highlights that no other copies are known.

A solitary copy

Stresses the isolated existence of the copy.

An exclusive copy

Focuses on the limited availability and special nature of the copy.

One-of-a-kind copy

Highlights that the copy is unique.

The definitive copy

Emphasizes that it's the best or most authoritative copy available.

A unique exemplar

Highlights the distinctiveness and serves as a model.

The original copy

Highlights that the copy is an original, not a duplicate.

A single instance

Highlights that there aren't multiple instances

Unparalleled copy

Emphasizes the unmatched nature of the copy.

FAQs

How can I use "a sole copy" in a sentence?

You can use "a sole copy" to emphasize the uniqueness and rarity of a particular item. For example, "The library possesses "a sole copy" of the original manuscript."

What phrases are similar to "a sole copy"?

Similar phrases include "the only copy", "a unique exemplar", or "a solitary copy", all emphasizing the singularity of the item.

Is it always appropriate to use "a sole copy" in formal writing?

Yes, "a sole copy" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing historical documents, scientific samples, or items of significant cultural value. It clearly conveys the item's uniqueness.

What distinguishes "a sole copy" from "an original"?

"An original" indicates that something is not a reproduction, while "a sole copy" specifies that it is the only one in existence. They are related but not interchangeable. For instance, "the original copy" might be an alternative.