could only be him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could only be him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are expressing certainty or a strong belief that a particular person is the only one who could fit a certain description or situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that the mysterious figure could only be him, given his unique characteristics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I thought it could only be him".

The New York Times - Sports

You heard it and it could only be him.

The New Yorker

You know from the first note that that could only be him because nobody else plays like that.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Frank Ocean is a forceful songwriter, an original voice, and a man who makes albums that could only be made by him, in an age of kit-build superstars.

The Guardian - Music

"The person I am thinking of was a friend of the journalists, drinking pal, and was a clever lawyer and forbade them to go and see the evidence, or there have been statements reporting that this person forbade people to go and report to Mrs Brooks or James Murdochh)." Mr Crone said in a statement after the hearing that Mr Murdoch "could only" be referring to him.

Independent

Action could only be taken against him if there was proof of wrongdoing in Singapore, he said.

BBC

It was displayed right out front but behind the counter so it could only be retrieved by him. .

Huffington Post

The whole exciting sequence of topographical dummies that deceives him could only be shown by a film: the city is on its guard against him, masks itself, flees, intrigues, lures him to wander its circles to the point of exhaustion.

The Guardian

As for Spender's feelings towards someone who simultaneously pushed him forward and hampered him, they could only be a tissue of gratitude and suppressed resentment.

The Guardian - Books

"They could only be powerful people who saw him as a moral thorn in their evil flesh".

The New York Times

High court judges have already ruled that the material seized from him could only be examined for national security purposes and the protection of the public, and no other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality needed for your writing. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from stronger or more explicit phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "could only be him" when you actually have concrete proof of someone's identity or involvement. In such cases, a more definitive statement like "it was him" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could only be him" functions as a modal phrase expressing a strong inference or deduction about the identity of a person. It suggests that, based on the available information or context, the speaker believes it is highly probable that the person in question is the one being referred to. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could only be him" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong belief or deduction about a person's identity in a given context. Ludwig indicates that it is appropriate in various forms of written English, but its frequency is rare. While typically neutral in tone, it might be more suitable for informal or news contexts than for strictly formal or academic writing. When aiming for a more formal style, consider alternatives like "it must have been him" or "it could have been no one else".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be him

Indicates a high degree of certainty about the person's identity.

had to be him

Suggests that the person was the only logical possibility.

it was definitely him

Emphasizes the certainty of the person's identity.

it could have been no one else

Highlights the uniqueness of the person in a given situation.

only he could do it

Focuses on the person's unique ability or capability.

he was the only one

Highlights that only this person had the capabilities or the permission to do the action.

there's no other explanation

Conveys that all alternative solutions have been discarded.

it had to be his doing

Indicates the person was the agent that initiated the action.

he's the only suspect

Indicates the person is under suspicion.

none other than him

Formal and emphatic way of stating the person's identity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could only be him" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it must have been him", "it could have been no one else", or "he was undoubtedly the one".

Is "could only be him" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "could only be him" may sound too informal for some academic contexts. Consider rephrasing for a more formal tone, such as "it was likely him" or "the evidence suggests it was him".

What's the difference between "must be him" and "could only be him"?

"Must be him" implies a higher degree of certainty compared to "could only be him", which suggests a strong possibility based on limited evidence.

How to use "could only be him" in a sentence?

You can use "could only be him" to express your belief or deduction about someone's identity or action based on the available context, for example: "Given his unique skills, it could only be him who cracked the code."