a sole vendor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sole vendor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single supplier or provider of goods or services in a particular context, often in business or procurement discussions. Example: "After careful consideration, we decided to work with a sole vendor for our software needs to ensure consistency and reliability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The OS can be supported by a sole vendor or multiple vendors.

The Guardian - Tech

The informal term for having a sole vendor is "a single throat to choke," and that is considered a good thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The digital store was its sole vendor through July 17, when it was released to other digital retailers.

Wikipedia

The sole vendor for PARCC, Pearson, has made it clear in its February 2014 earnings call that it plans to "embed" itself in the entire CCSS enterprise and make itself "indispensable" -- and that CCSS enterprise includes curriculum.

Huffington Post

Companies that function as the sole vendors of supplies have to detail their costs to the government, which allows the firms to reap a reasonable profit margin over and above these expenses.

Huffington Post

If you own a sole proprietorship and your business is sued by a customer or vendor, then this is the same as being sued personally.

Huffington Post

"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

Greenberger is an unusual choice as a sole founder.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a sole vendor", ensure it is clear why this vendor is the only option or the preferred choice. Providing context adds clarity and justification for the exclusive arrangement.

Common error

Avoid using "a sole vendor" without a clear reason or explanation. Overstating exclusivity can raise questions or concerns about competition and pricing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sole vendor" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically identifies or describes a specific entity that is the only provider of a particular good or service. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sole vendor" is used to describe a situation where there's only one supplier for a product or service. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a relatively rare phrase. It most commonly appears in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. When using "a sole vendor", ensure you provide clear justification for the exclusive arrangement. Alternatives include "exclusive supplier" or "single provider". When writing, avoid assuming exclusivity without proper reasoning. While the phrase is uncommon, using a more common synonym could lead to a better reach, as well as a better writing experience overall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive vendor

Replaces 'sole' with 'exclusive', emphasizing the exclusivity of the vendor.

single vendor

Uses 'single' instead of 'sole', a more common synonym.

sole supplier

Substitutes 'vendor' with 'supplier', which is often interchangeable.

exclusive provider

Replaces 'vendor' with 'provider', suitable for service-based contexts.

only vendor

Replaces 'sole' with 'only', emphasizing the uniqueness of the vendor.

designated vendor

Implies that the vendor has been specifically chosen or appointed.

primary vendor

Suggests that while there might be other vendors, this one is the main source.

preferred vendor

Indicates that the vendor is favored over others, possibly due to quality or service.

sole source

Focuses on the product or service being available from only one source.

unique vendor

Highlights that the vendor is unlike any other, possessing unique qualities or offerings.

FAQs

How to use "a sole vendor" in a sentence?

You can use "a sole vendor" to indicate that there's only one provider for a specific product or service. For example, "We decided to use "a sole vendor" for our cloud storage needs to ensure data security."

What are the implications of using "a sole vendor"?

Using "a sole vendor" can lead to benefits such as streamlined communication and standardized processes. However, it also introduces risks like dependency and potential price increases if alternatives are unavailable.

Is it better to use "a sole vendor" or multiple vendors?

The choice between ""a sole vendor"" and multiple vendors depends on the specific needs and priorities of your organization. A single vendor might offer better integration and consistency, while multiple vendors can provide redundancy and competitive pricing.

What can I say instead of "a sole vendor"?

You can use alternatives like "exclusive supplier", "single provider", or "only vendor" depending on the context.