is true only for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is true only for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying conditions or limitations under which a statement or assertion holds validity. Example: "This mathematical theorem is true only for values greater than zero."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

This is true only for irregular riders, not for those holding regular weekly transportation cards.

The New Yorker

This is true only for the little guys without sufficient resources.

The Economist

In his memoirs, Monnet says that this observation is true only for brandy, but it looks as if it also applied to experimental continent-wide monetary unions.

The New Yorker

Such anomalous behaviour is true only for the immediate neighbourhood of the Sun; faint B stars are strictly concentrated along the galactic equator.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Real-life encounters, by contrast, are more WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get).What neither study proves is whether all this is true only for younger users of Facebook.

The Economist

Huffington's war for sleep must be the strangest of modern public-service campaigns: she doesn't seem to grasp that people are not sleeping less because they think, wrongly, that not sleeping is good for your career — that is true only for a tiny group of competitive insomniacs.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

But that was true only for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

Why that should be true only for this particular biotype is unknown.

The Economist

In 1817 they showed that Newton's law of cooling was true only for small differences in temperature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the conditions are true only for all (tgeq0).

Advances in Difference Equations

However, this appears to be true only for non-surface-controlled reactions having low (<108 min-1) pre-exponential factors.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is true only for", ensure the condition you're specifying is clear and unambiguous. This prevents misinterpretations and strengthens the validity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "is true only for" when the statement is generally applicable. Be sure you are specifying a real limitation, not just a perceived one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is true only for" functions as a restrictive modifier, limiting the scope of a statement's validity. As exemplified by Ludwig, it introduces specific conditions or circumstances under which a claim holds.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is true only for" serves as a crucial tool for precisely defining the scope and conditions under which a statement is valid. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across science, news, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the condition is clear to avoid ambiguity and prevent overgeneralizations. Considering semantically related alternatives such as "is valid solely for" can further refine your expression. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate the limitations of a statement and enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is valid solely for

Emphasizes that the statement's validity is restricted to the specified condition.

applies exclusively to

Highlights the exclusive application of the statement to a particular case.

holds only when

Focuses on the necessary condition for the statement to be correct.

is conditional on

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

is restricted to

Indicates that the scope of the statement is limited to certain instances.

is limited to

Indicates that the scope of the statement is confined to certain instances.

is the case only for

Emphasizes that the described situation exists only under certain conditions.

is accurate exclusively for

Highlights that accuracy is limited to a specific context.

is precise only in

Indicates that the precision of the statement is confined to a specific context.

is uniquely true for

Suggests that the statement's truth is unique to the specified circumstance.

FAQs

How can I use "is true only for" in a sentence?

Use "is true only for" to specify the limited circumstances under which a statement holds. For example, "This rule "is true only for" cases where the variable x is positive".

What are some alternatives to saying "is true only for"?

Alternatives include "applies exclusively to", "holds only when", or "is valid solely for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state when something "is true only for" certain conditions?

While not always necessary, explicitly stating the conditions ensures clarity and prevents misunderstandings, especially in technical or legal contexts.

How does "is true only for" differ from "is generally true for"?

"Is true only for" indicates a specific exception or limitation, while "is generally true for" suggests a broad applicability with possible exceptions.