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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is only correct
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "is only correct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is accurate or valid in a specific context or situation. Example: "In this case, the answer provided is only correct if we consider the latest data available."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
17 human-written examples
This correction, equation (1), is only correct when the category probabilities p j have no effect on observability.
Science
It is only correct that Hodgson is allowed some slack considering the problems he inherited.
News & Media
However, it is only correct in the ideal case: i.e. uniform distribution of uni-sized bubbles.
Science
Our approach here ignores inertial effects; thus the motion is only correct as an approximation for very viscous problems.
Barro is only correct if tax rates are so high as to eliminate a reasonable return.
News & Media
However, this assumption is only correct for uniform users' distributions and non-limited areas of analysis.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
43 human-written examples
"I feel proud of the fact that my father is still remembered for his contribution that was only correct and just.
News & Media
I call this the 80-20-100% rule, which is to say that 100% of the time you'll be given advice that's only correct 80% of the time.
News & Media
Thesummation is not normalised, and thus the gain values are only correct up to ascale; however, the shape of the plot is indicative.
Science
However, Afana's analytical results are only correct for system models with a large number of relay nodes and a limited number of primary receivers.
The system could tell with 71.5percentt accuracy if the women were flirting with men, the men were only correct 56.2percentt of the time.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "is only correct" to acknowledge limitations or specific conditions under which a statement holds true. This adds precision and avoids overgeneralizations.
Common error
Avoid using "is only correct" without clearly specifying the conditions or context. Failing to do so can lead to misinterpretations and invalidate your statement.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is only correct" functions as a qualifier, limiting the scope or applicability of a statement. It suggests that the statement is accurate under specific conditions or within a particular context. Ludwig's examples showcase diverse scenarios where this qualification is necessary.
Frequent in
Science
56%
News & Media
31%
Wiki
6%
Less common in
Academia
3%
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "is only correct" serves as a crucial qualifier, indicating that a statement's accuracy is contingent upon specific conditions or contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in scientific and news media to ensure precision and avoid overgeneralizations. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, using "is only correct" effectively requires clearly defining the conditions under which the statement holds true. Alternatives like "is accurate under certain conditions" or "is valid in specific cases" can provide similar nuance. Recognizing these nuances, as Ludwig AI suggests, enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretations in writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is accurate under certain conditions
Specifies that accuracy is dependent on specific circumstances, highlighting conditional validity.
is valid in specific cases
Emphasizes that the statement holds true only for particular situations or instances.
is true to a limited extent
Suggests that the statement is partially correct but not entirely.
applies only in this context
Focuses on the contextual dependency of the statement's correctness.
holds true under these assumptions
Highlights the importance of underlying assumptions for the statement's validity.
is conditionally accurate
Directly states that accuracy is contingent on specific conditions being met.
is correct with caveats
Indicates that the statement is correct but requires certain qualifications or exceptions.
is accurate in some situations
Implies that accuracy varies depending on the circumstances.
is true within limits
Suggests that the statement's truth is confined to certain boundaries or constraints.
is solely applicable here
Stresses that the statement's relevance is restricted to the immediate situation.
FAQs
What does "is only correct" mean?
The phrase "is only correct" means that something is accurate or valid in a specific context, under certain conditions, or to a limited extent. It indicates that the statement's truth is not universal.
When should I use "is only correct" in my writing?
Use "is only correct" when you need to acknowledge that a statement is not universally true and depends on specific circumstances. This helps to provide a more nuanced and accurate representation of the facts.
What can I say instead of "is only correct"?
You can use alternatives like "is accurate under certain conditions", "is valid in specific cases", or "is true to a limited extent" depending on the context.
How does "is only correct" differ from "is correct"?
While "is correct" implies a general truth, "is only correct" suggests a conditional or limited accuracy. The latter acknowledges that the statement may not be true in all situations.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested