is solely to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is solely to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the purpose or function of something is exclusively for a specific reason or task. Example: "The purpose of this meeting is solely to discuss the budget for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My AMBITION is solely to change Luton for the better.

Independent

"A lot of times, that action is solely to protect interests.

The New York Times - Sports

"The actor's job," he declares, "is solely to communicate the play to the audience.

Independent

This movement is solely to unite all the various Latino communities.

Independent

Sea, rock, trees: they are all props whose function is solely to make mood.

Independent

The companies maintain that what happened to her was terrible, but it is Barrett who is solely to blame.

The Guardian - Sport

Not that Ichiro Suzuki is solely to blame for the deflated hitting, but the Mariners' demise is reflected in his.

The New York Times - Sports

There is one party that is solely to blame for the first government shutdown in 17 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, of course, the teacher is solely to blame for students' lack of improvement in test scores.

The New York Times

My ambition is solely to change Luton for the better.' I've always thought of Luton as a bit of a dump but she won't have it.

Independent

Brian Bassett, The Jets Blog: Darrelle Revis is my favorite Jet of the last 20 years, but no one party in this situation is solely to blame.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is solely to", ensure the context clearly defines the exclusive purpose or function. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient detail about what the purpose entails.

Common error

Avoid using "is solely to" when there might be secondary or unintended purposes. Using the phrase implies a complete absence of other motivations, which might not always be accurate. Consider using "primarily to" or "mainly to" if other purposes exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is solely to" functions as a purpose connector, linking an action or entity to its exclusive intention. Ludwig confirms that it emphasizes the single, primary reason for something. It clearly indicates that the action or item serves one purpose and no other, limiting scope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is solely to" is a versatile connector used to indicate the single, exclusive purpose of something. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various contexts. While highly functional, remember to use it accurately, ensuring that the subject truly has no other purpose. Alternatives like "is exclusively for" or "serves only to" can provide similar emphasis. The prevalence of the phrase in news, science, and business writing underscores its importance in formal and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is exclusively for

Emphasizes that something is intended for one particular purpose or group and no other.

is only for

Indicates that something is restricted to a specific use or group.

serves only to

Highlights that the function or purpose is limited to a particular action.

is strictly for

Implies a rigid restriction to a specific purpose.

is uniquely for

Suggests the purpose is specific and not generally applicable.

is purely for

Emphasizes the absence of any other purpose besides the one stated.

is intended only to

Highlights the intended use or purpose, excluding other possibilities.

aims only to

Focuses on the limited objectives or goals of an action.

is designed only to

Indicates that the design or function is limited to a certain purpose.

is restricted to

Indicates that the application of something is limited to.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is solely to" is used to emphasize that the purpose or function of something is exclusively for a specific reason. For example, "The purpose of this meeting is solely to discuss the budget."

What are some alternatives to "is solely to"?

You can use alternatives such as "is exclusively for", "is only for", or "serves only to" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to use "only" with "is solely to"?

Yes, using "only" with "is solely to" can be redundant. The word "solely" already implies that something is exclusively for a particular purpose, making "only" unnecessary.

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

"Is solely to" indicates that something is exclusively for one purpose, whereas "is mainly to" suggests that a primary purpose exists, but there might be other secondary purposes as well. They are not interchangeable.