earliest and only time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earliest and only time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something occurred for the first and sole occasion. Example: "This was the earliest and only time I had the chance to meet my favorite author in person."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Commission would want it to, the first Unified Patent is unlikely to be filed before 2014 at the earliest, and only time will tell if the new system for litigating these patents is cheaper and simpler for its users," says Peberdy. "The principle of having a unified patent in Europe has always been a pipedream," adds Jennings.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But whether these are only available to those going out in the (relatively) benign early conditions, only time will tell.

The Guardian - Sport

My mum told me I was quiet from very early on and the only time I was ever a problem was if I was hungry!

The Guardian - Sport

Even Clermont's early try — the only time either side crossed the line — was potentially an ill omen.

The New York Times - Sports

As I wrote earlier, only time will tell if it will become indeed a significant threat, or a giant dud.

TechCrunch

A perfect day Breakfast In the heat of the summer May too July), early morning is the only time to stroll and there is possibly no urban park in the world more enchanting to do so than Lodi Gardens.

The Guardian - Travel

Before the early 80s, the only times girls moved their bodies was doing hockey or whatever at school, which everyone tried to get out of.

The Guardian - Music

Early morning is the only time these popular courts aren't bursting at the seams.

The New York Times

Luis Aragonés's side started sluggishly, although the early exchanges represented the only time when the Germans commanded the ball with any authority, attempting as they did to exploit the right side of the Spanish defence.

The Guardian - Sport

Penberthy's early penalty was the only time Jersey troubled the scorers in the second period though, as third-placed Scottish began to run away with the game.

BBC

In those early years, ITER had for the only time in its history a single visionary at its helm: a French physicist named Paul-Henri Rebut.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earliest and only time" when you want to stress that an event not only happened at the beginning of a process or period but also never recurred after that initial instance.

Common error

Avoid using "earliest and only time" to describe something that happened early but recurred later; this phrase implies a unique, non-repeating occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earliest and only time" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the timing of an event with emphasis on its uniqueness and non-reoccurrence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earliest and only time" is a grammatically sound way to emphasize that something occurred at the beginning of a timeframe and never happened again, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although relatively rare in usage, it effectively conveys both the temporal and unique nature of an event. The phrase is considered neutral in register, suitable for a variety of formal and informal contexts, primarily appearing in news and scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a singular, non-recurring event at the start of a period. If greater emphasis on exclusivity is needed, alternatives like "first and sole instance" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first and sole instance

Emphasizes uniqueness and singularity, like the QUERY, but focuses on the instance rather than a period.

initial and exclusive occasion

More formal and emphasizes the exclusivity of the event at the beginning.

very first and never repeated event

Highlights the non-repeatable nature of the event from its start.

inaugural and singular occurrence

Similar to QUERY but focuses on occurrence and is formal.

primary and unique moment

Highlights the importance of the initial moment and its uniqueness.

original and unrepeated episode

Focuses on the originality of the episode at its inception and its lack of repetition.

commencement and particular instance

More descriptive and formal, highlighting both the start and the distinct nature of the instance.

beginning and unparalleled event

Emphasizes both the start and the unmatched character of the event.

launch and individual time

Focuses on the launch of the event and its individuality.

genesis and isolated happening

Formal and stresses the origin and isolated nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "earliest and only time" in a sentence?

You can use "earliest and only time" to emphasize that something happened at the beginning of a series of events and never happened again. For example, "That was the earliest and only time I saw him smile".

What does "earliest and only time" mean?

"Earliest and only time" signifies an event that happened at the beginning of a period and never repeated itself.

What are some alternatives to "earliest and only time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "first and sole instance" or "initial and exclusive occasion", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "earliest and only time"?

While "earliest" and "only" both suggest a unique occurrence, using them together emphasizes the singularity and the temporal aspect of the event, making it more emphatic than using either word alone. The phrase "earliest and only time" highlights that it happened at the very beginning and never again.