is solely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is solely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is exclusively or only true in a particular context. Example: "The success of the project is solely dependent on the team's collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is solely data driven".

The New York Times

Loretta is solely about doing justice".

The Guardian

"This is solely about the company's controls".

The New York Times

Nowadays, for me, a picnic is solely about getting outside.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Shoah" is solely about the war against the Jews.

The New Yorker

"Your technological model is solely based on circumventing" the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not that Haze is solely defined by her intensity.

The Guardian - Music

Israel says the barrier is solely a security measure.

The New York Times

The chancellor is solely responsible for appointments to the MPC".

The Guardian

So the focus now is solely on rescuing objects.

The New York Times

Notice that the hearing is solely about Muslims.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is solely" to clearly define the exclusive factor or condition influencing a situation, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is solely" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "is only" or "is just" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is solely" functions as a linking verb followed by an adverb. It serves to connect the subject with a description or condition that is exclusively associated with it. Ludwig confirms the correctness of this construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is solely" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something depends exclusively on a single factor or condition. As Ludwig AI validates, it's often found in news and scientific contexts, serving to clarify and emphasize a unique relationship. While more formal alternatives exist (such as "is exclusively" or "is entirely"), overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Remember to use "is solely" when you want to highlight that only one element is responsible or relevant in a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is exclusively

Emphasizes that something is only related to the specified item, excluding anything else. Slightly more formal.

is entirely

Highlights the completeness of something related to a specific item. Similar in formality.

is completely

Highlights the exhaustive nature of something. Comparable in formality.

is only

States a singular condition, similar to "is solely" but less emphatic.

is purely

Suggests that something is unmixed or unadulterated. Offers an alternative tone.

is nothing but

Indicates that something is no more than a specified element. More emphatic.

is uniquely

Focuses on the distinctiveness and individuality of something. Adds a sense of specialness.

is strictly

Implies adherence to a precise condition. A bit more formal.

is simply

Indicates that something is merely the case. Less formal and emphatic.

is just

Emphasizes that something is limited to a specified item. More casual.

FAQs

How can I use "is solely" in a sentence?

Use "is solely" to indicate that something depends entirely on one factor or condition. For example, "The decision "is solely" based on the data available" emphasizes that no other factors are considered.

What phrases can I use instead of "is solely"?

Alternatives include "is exclusively", "is entirely", "is only", or "is purely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is solely" or "is only"?

Both "is solely" and "is only" are grammatically correct, but "is solely" emphasizes exclusivity more strongly than "is only". The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What is the difference between "is solely" and "is mainly"?

"Is solely" means something depends entirely on one thing, while "is mainly" indicates that one thing is the primary but not exclusive factor. For example, "The success "is solely" attributed to effort" means nothing else contributed, whereas "The success "is mainly" attributed to effort" suggests effort was the biggest but not only factor.