as a sole source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a sole source" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a single provider or origin of a product, service, or information. Example: "The report indicates that the data was obtained as a sole source from the government database."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strain GPE1 produce biosurfactants and degrades carbazole as a sole source of carbon and energy.

Harvard University

How do you persuade a customer to accept us as a sole source for an important component?

Harvard Business Review

These values were approximately three times lower than the parameters calculated for cells utilizing methanol as a sole source of carbon.

Harvard University

For the record the Daily Mail banned all its journalists from using Wikipedia as a sole source in 2014 because of its unreliability.

The Guardian - Tech

It is an invasive species, and – in cities – mainly breeds indoors, so no predator relies on it as a sole source of food.

Independent

Peak-hour analyses are becoming outdated as a sole source of traffic assessment, because they fail to account for changing conditions throughout the year.

Transportation Research Procedia

The OD values observed for the endogenous control increased from 0.20 to 0.30 McFarland units". Strain GPE1 produce biosurfactants and degrades carbazole as a sole source of carbon and energy.

Harvard University

As the Mail pointed out to the Guardian in its response to the decision to prohibit its use as a source, the newspaper itself banned reliance on Wikipedia as a "sole source" in 2014.

The Guardian - Tech

The solid state fermentation of A. oryzae (F6) with potato pulp powder as a sole source and along with supplementation of nitrogen yielded 2.85 ± 5.0 and 18.68 U/g of acid protease, respectively.

Food and Bioproducts Processing

The mutants deffective in the synthesis of ChoD, HsdD or both enzymes were able to grow in minimal media supplemented with cholesterol as a sole source of carbon and energy.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Waste molasses hydrolysate was confirmed as a sole source of full nutrients to totally replace glucose-based medium in support of rapid growth and high oil yield from algae.

Bioresource Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a sole source", ensure it's clear what is being singularly provided (e.g., carbon, information, funding) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting information that relies "as a sole source", without cross-validation from other reliable sources. This can lead to biased or incomplete conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a sole source" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify that something originates or is derived exclusively from a single origin or provider. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase indicates a unique and singular origin, often in contexts related to resources, information, or supply.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a sole source" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize that something originates exclusively from one particular entity or resource. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it is useful for indicating reliance on a single provider, whether it be carbon for bacteria or information for a report. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding what is being uniquely provided and to avoid over-reliance on "as a sole source" without cross-validation, as this could lead to bias or incomplete information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only source

Emphasizes that there are no other sources available.

the single source

Stresses the singularity of the source.

the exclusive source

Highlights that the source is specially authorized or designated.

the lone source

Highlights the isolated nature of the source.

the unique source

Focuses on the distinctiveness and unmatched nature of the source.

the primary source

Indicates the most important or original source, though others may exist.

the definitive source

Implies the source is authoritative and reliable.

the only resource

Implies the existence of support, help, or source of information.

the solitary origin

Emphasizes the isolated starting point or beginning.

the ultimate origin

Highlights the fundamental and original source.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a sole source" to indicate that something is the only provider of a particular element or resource. For instance, "The bacteria uses the compound "as a sole source of carbon"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as a sole source"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the only source", "the exclusive source", or "the single source", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use Wikipedia "as a sole source" for research?

While Wikipedia can be a useful starting point, it is generally not recommended to use it "as a sole source" for academic research. Always cross-reference information with more authoritative and reliable sources.

What does it mean when something is described "as a sole source" of energy?

When something is described "as a sole source" of energy, it means that it is the only thing providing energy in a given system or context. For example, certain bacteria can utilize specific chemicals "as a sole source of energy".