a sole incident

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sole incident" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single occurrence or event, often emphasizing its uniqueness or singularity. Example: "The investigation revealed that there was a sole incident of misconduct during the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, by a 5-to-4 vote, the conservative majority of the Roberts court has overturned that ruling, saying the office can't be held liable for a sole incident of wrongdoing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I don't think this sole incident should be the last judgment on his life," he said.

The New York Times

Routine hospital discharge diagnoses have limitations as a sole basis for estimating stroke incident rates.

BMJ Open

In a statement sent to the Chicago News Cooperative, Walgreen officials on Friday characterized the incident as the action of a sole employee who did not have authorization from superiors.

The New York Times

"Gerry is a sole practitioner.

The New Yorker

A sole leader!

The Guardian - Sport

There is a sole superpower Brazil.

The Economist

as a sole carbon source (Figure 1).

AMB Express

Having designed a sole to serve this goal, different piezoelectric materials are placed into the sole.

Energy

It will be a sole proprietorship.

Bplans

If possible, operate as a sole proprietor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sole incident" when you want to emphasize that something happened only once and is not part of a pattern. It adds a sense of finality or isolation to the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a soul incident" when you mean "a sole incident". "Sole" refers to being the only one, while "soul" refers to spirit or emotion. Using the wrong word will drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sole incident" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and describes a particular occurrence, emphasizing its singularity and lack of repetition, as highlighted in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sole incident" is a noun phrase used to describe a single, unique event, often to emphasize its isolation or lack of recurrence. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for formal to neutral contexts. While it's not a very common phrase, it effectively conveys the idea of something happening only once. Alternatives like "a single incident" or "an isolated event" can be used interchangeably, depending on the specific emphasis desired. Be mindful of the difference between "sole" and "soul" to avoid misuse. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and provides examples across diverse sources, mainly news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single occurrence

Focuses on the event happening just one time.

an isolated event

Emphasizes the event's separation from other similar events.

a unique case

Highlights the distinctiveness and rarity of the situation.

an exceptional circumstance

Stresses that the situation is unusual and not typical.

a one-off situation

Informal way of saying something happened only once.

a solitary instance

Highlights the infrequency and singleness of the event.

a rare phenomenon

Implies that the event is uncommon and noteworthy.

an unprecedented event

Suggests the event has never happened before.

an isolated example

Focuses on the singularity of the example.

a singular occurrence

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the event in question.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sole incident" to describe a unique event that occurred only once, like in the sentence "The investigation revealed that there was "a sole incident" of misconduct during the event".

What's the difference between "a sole incident" and "a single incident"?

While both phrases refer to something happening only once, "a sole incident" emphasizes the uniqueness or isolation of the event, whereas "a single incident" simply indicates that it happened once.

Which is more formal, "a sole incident" or "an isolated incident"?

"A sole incident" and "an isolated incident" are both appropriate for formal writing. "Sole" might add a slightly stronger emphasis on uniqueness, while "isolated" highlights separation from other events.

Are there any synonyms for "a sole incident" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "a unique occurrence", "an isolated event", or "a one-time event" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.