if not solely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if not solely" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is true or applicable in a situation, even if it is not the only factor or reason. Example: "The success of the project can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of the team, if not solely to the team leader's effective leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The prevailing mood among Turkey's discontents is that Erdogan now cares for primarily, if not solely, those who voted for him.

The Guardian

In the days after the storm, many residents relied heavily, if not solely, on volunteers going door to door bearing meals, blankets, bottled water and medicine.

The New York Times

He has made seven mistakes and was mainly if not solely culpable for three of the five chances that went begging in the first innings of this match.

Independent

However, the agency's most recent research, carried out off the California coast, showed great white numbers rising an estimated tenfold, after decades of decline accelerated if not solely caused by a rise in shark hunting inspired by the 1975 film Jaws.

The Guardian

One's presumption, on learning that Michel Hazanavicius had constructed a black-and-white silent movie, set in the era that it celebrates, was that it would appeal largely, if not solely, to the kind of movie nut who used to get into fistfights about whether the Fredric March version of "A Star is Born" is, or is not, trumped by the James Mason one.

The New Yorker

The appalling hypocrisy of American behaviour is that it is chiefly, if not solely, motivated by economic schemes to secure Central Asian oil and gas, not to mention Iraqi reserves at more favourable rates.Laviero MancinelliDaly City, CaliforniaSIR – I am surprised and disappointed by your simplistic discussion of a possible American invasion of Iraq.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Similar to the liver, the increased glucose release by the kidney in the fasting state is solely, if not exclusively, a result of gluconeogenesis 45.

Diabetic Medicine

But what if you were not solely responsible for the "big picture?" What if your husband took one look around the house and knew what needed to be done too?

Huffington Post

While if some al-Shabab fighters were involved, it would enable the group's spokesman to say they were behind the attack, even if it was not solely their idea.

BBC

Practicing lawyers have generally answered the question by saying that anyone who contributes to a murder or other crime, even if he was not solely responsible for the outcome, can be found guilty.

Forbes

In accordance with this hypothesis, it has been recently observed that 3 weeks of training high-living high at 2320 m asl does not produce adverse effects on muscular function in elite swimmers, even if the training is not solely focus on improving force and power [73].

Sports Medicine - Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not solely" to acknowledge other potential contributing factors without diminishing the primary factor's importance. For example, "The project's success was due to her leadership, if not solely, then significantly influenced by it."

Common error

Avoid using "if not solely" when it's clear other factors play a significant role. Overusing it can weaken your argument by implying uncertainty where strong evidence exists for multiple causes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not solely" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the extent to which something is attributed to a particular cause or factor. It indicates that a stated reason is a primary driver, while acknowledging the potential influence of other contributing elements. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if not solely" is a useful tool for expressing that something is a key factor, without claiming it's the only one. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of its usage. Appearing frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", it presents a nuanced perspective, useful in objective and analytical writing. Remember to avoid overusing "if not solely" in situations where multiple factors are clearly important. Consider alternatives like "if not exclusively" or "if not primarily" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not exclusively

Replaces "solely" with "exclusively", implying a very similar meaning of not being the only factor.

if not primarily

Substitutes "solely" with "primarily", suggesting that something is the main but not only factor.

if not entirely

Replaces "solely" with "entirely", conveying that something might not be the complete reason or factor.

if not just

Uses "just" instead of "solely" to indicate something is not only that.

if not merely

Employs "merely" instead of "solely" to convey that something involves more than just one thing.

if not simply

Uses "simply" instead of "solely" to suggest that the explanation is not just one thing.

if not only

Replaces "solely" with "only", indicating something is not the single element.

if not uniquely

Substitutes "solely" with "uniquely", implying that something isn't the only unique factor.

if not singularly

Replaces "solely" with "singularly", conveying that it is not caused by one single thing.

at least partly

Indicates a partial contribution, contrasting with a sole cause or factor.

FAQs

How can I use "if not solely" in a sentence?

Use "if not solely" to indicate that a factor is a primary, but not necessarily exclusive, cause or influence. For instance, "His success is attributable to his hard work, if not solely to his innate talent".

What phrases are similar to "if not solely"?

Alternatives include "if not exclusively", "if not primarily", or "if not entirely", all conveying a similar meaning of a major but not unique factor.

Is it better to use "if not solely" or "solely"?

Use "solely" when something is the only cause. Use "if not solely" when it's a major factor but others may also contribute. The choice depends on the accuracy of the statement.

What is the difference between "if not solely" and "if not mainly"?

"If not solely" suggests the factor is very close to being the only one. "If not mainly" indicates the factor is important but other factors also have substantial influence.