is only true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is only true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the validity or accuracy of a statement or claim, often to emphasize a limitation or condition. Example: "The theory is only true under specific circumstances, which must be taken into account."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is only true technically.

The New York Times

That is only true if Inauguration Day seems far away.

The New Yorker

But that is only true to a degree.

The New York Times - Sports

This is only true if Hugh Hefner is your dad.

The New York Times

Of course, that is only true if the shows succeed.

The New York Times

But that is only true of a relatively small proportion of legal services.

The Guardian

But this is only true in respect of Jewish students who are Zionist.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is only true for people who buy coverage through the marketplace.

The Guardian

But that is only true if the burden on women for whom the law is relevant is, indeed, undue.

The New Yorker

This is only true if you don't count part-time students, whose numbers have dropped 41 per cent.

Independent

But this is only true in a flat universe.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is only true", clearly state the condition or context that makes the statement valid to avoid ambiguity. For example, "This method is only true if the sample size is large enough."

Common error

Avoid presenting a statement as universally true when it "is only true" under specific conditions. Failing to specify those conditions can mislead readers and undermine your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is only true" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it introduces a condition or limitation that must be met for the statement to be valid. Examples in Ludwig show it frequently used to qualify generalizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is only true" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a condition that limits the validity of a statement. As Ludwig AI notes, it's essential to specify the condition clearly to avoid misinterpretations. The phrase appears frequently in scientific and news-related contexts, and while versatile, its use should be carefully considered to prevent overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "is accurate only when" or "holds true solely if" can provide similar nuances. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "is only true" to create nuanced and accurate statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is true merely if

Emphasizes a single condition that makes something true.

is accurate only when

Highlights the accuracy being conditional on specific circumstances.

holds true solely if

Stresses the exclusivity of the condition for the statement to hold.

is valid exclusively if

Focuses on the validity being tied to a particular condition.

applies solely under

Indicates that the application of something is limited to certain conditions.

is conditional upon

Highlights the dependence of the statement's truth on a specific condition.

is just true given

Suggests that the truth is justified by certain conditions.

is correct under

States that the correctness is confined to specific conditions.

is truthful only

Emphasizes the limited truthfulness of the statement.

is right strictly when

Indicates that correctness is limited to strict conditions.

FAQs

How do I use "is only true" in a sentence?

Use "is only true" to specify the limited conditions under which a statement holds. For example, "That statement "is only true" if we ignore external factors."

What can I say instead of "is only true"?

You can use alternatives like "is true merely if", "is accurate only when", or "holds true solely if" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is only true"?

Use "is only true" when you need to emphasize that a statement is not universally valid and depends on certain conditions or circumstances being met.

What's the difference between "is only true" and "is always true"?

"Is only true" indicates a conditional truth, whereas "is always true" implies a universal truth, valid in all situations. The former is restrictive, while the latter is absolute.