as a sole example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a sole example" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are providing one specific instance or case among potentially many others. Example: "The study highlights the effects of climate change on polar bears, as a sole example of how wildlife is impacted."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was seen as a sole example of forthrightness in a party whose leadership had time and time again promised to push for a conservative agenda if only they would hold on and vote for moderates to build the numbers towards a unassailable majority.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Memory of the Open Space persists as the sole example of an British laboratory theatre that managed to survive as a repertory house.

The Guardian

Among the G7 leaders of the world, Germany's Angela Merkel stands out as the sole example of a tweet-free leader.

BBC

Here and subsequently, we focused on AML and colon cancer as exemplars of cancers exhibiting strong intron retention, and on breast cancer as the sole example of a cancer exhibiting decreased intron retention relative to normal controls.

Genome Medicine

This is also reflected by the scarcity of flavoenzymes adopting a topology similar to the p-cresolmethylhydroxylase (clan FAD_PCMH, family FAD_binding_4) with d-lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.28) and alkalidihydroxyacetone phosphate synthase (EC 2.5.1.26) as sole examples for this type of structure.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Poor Tasmania, however, is but the scapegoat of a problem – not actually the sole example of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the sole example of a vanadia system being used fro trans-hydrogenation.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Curiously, the sole example of a truly universal location procedure that is going to become a de facto standard is the one embedded as an ancillary function into the fourth generation of cellular networks through a dedicated ranging channel.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The G-box structure is the sole example from a unique protein fold.

Biochemical Society Transactions

12, 26 For example, NMES as a sole treatment had a significant positive effect in one study 13 and demonstrated a trend toward such an effect in two additional studies that compared NMES with an exercise program, 17, 36 with only one study demonstrating no change in force production.

Clinical interventions in aging

ARR is not the sole example of an endocytic adaptor subjected to ubiquitin modification.

BMC Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a sole example", ensure the context clearly establishes that the instance you are referencing is indeed unique or the only one of its kind. Otherwise, consider using a more general phrase like "as an example".

Common error

Avoid using "as a sole example" if there's a possibility of other instances existing, even if they are rare or not immediately apparent. Overstating uniqueness can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a sole example" functions as a prepositional phrase. It serves to introduce a specific instance that is highlighted as being unique or the only one of its kind. This phrase is supported by Ludwig AI, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a sole example" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the uniqueness of a particular instance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. While "as a sole example" is correct, make sure to use it when the example is truly unique to avoid overstating the case. Consider alternatives such as "as the only instance" or "as the single example" to convey similar meanings. Using this phrase correctly enhances the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the only instance

Focuses on uniqueness, emphasizing there are no other cases.

as the single example

Highlights the singularity of the example, replacing 'sole' with 'single'.

as a unique illustration

Replaces 'example' with 'illustration' to emphasize the clarifying nature of the instance.

as the lone instance

Uses 'lone' to convey the sense of being the only one.

as a solitary case

Emphasizes isolation and lack of other similar occurrences.

as the exclusive example

Highlights that no other examples exist besides the one mentioned.

as the only existing case

Focuses on the existence aspect, specifying it is the sole survivor.

as an isolated example

Highlights the separation and lack of connection to other instances.

as a one-off instance

Uses informal language to denote something that happened only once.

as a prime illustration

Suggests the instance is not just an example but an excellent one, though still singular.

FAQs

How can I use "as a sole example" in a sentence?

Use "as a sole example" to introduce a unique instance that illustrates a broader point. For example, "This study, "as a sole example", demonstrates the impact of the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "as a sole example"?

You can use phrases like "as the only instance", "as the single example", or "as a unique illustration" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "as a sole example"?

No, only use "as a sole example" when the instance you're referencing is definitively the only one of its kind. If there are other possible examples, a more general phrase like "as an example" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "as a sole example" and "as an example"?

"As an example" introduces one instance among many, while "as a sole example" indicates that the instance is unique and there are no others like it.