lie solely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lie solely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is exclusively or entirely based on a particular factor or condition. Example: "The success of the project does not lie solely in the funding but also in the team's dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

The fault doesn't lie solely with the Nepalese, however.

The Guardian

* "The responsibility should lie solely with her," not "lay".

The Guardian

The value of master data management (MDM) does not lie solely in the integration of data.

Master Data Management

The virtues of "Ant-Man" don't lie solely in its differences from its competitors.

The New Yorker

Does the blame for inadequate emergency relief efforts lie solely with the UN and international NGOs?

The Guardian

Housing providers can play a central role in this and the answer does not lie solely with government funding.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Responsibility for this lies solely with the current political leadership.

The New York Times

It lies solely in the way work is typically delegated.

The Economist

The choice of the city lies solely with the IOC.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not that Stamford's appeal lies solely in 16th-century buildings, of course.

The Guardian - Travel

"But I don't think the fault lies solely with the system".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lie solely", ensure that the context genuinely supports the idea that no other factors are significantly involved. Overusing it can create a false sense of simplicity.

Common error

Avoid using "lie solely" when multiple contributing factors exist. This can oversimplify complex situations and weaken your argument. Instead, acknowledge other influences to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lie solely" functions as a verb phrase used to express that something is exclusively dependent on a particular factor or condition. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widely found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lie solely" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to emphasize that something is exclusively dependent on a single factor. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using "lie solely", ensure that the context genuinely supports the idea that no other factors are significantly involved to avoid oversimplifying complex situations. Alternatives such as "depend entirely" or "rest exclusively" can provide similar meaning with subtle variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend entirely

Emphasizes complete dependence, similar to "lie solely" but with a focus on reliance.

rest exclusively

Highlights the exclusive nature of the reliance, akin to "lie solely" emphasizing no other factors are involved.

reside entirely

Implies that the essence or solution is fully contained within something, similar to "lie solely".

be exclusively attributed

Focuses on the attribution of a cause or effect to a single source, paralleling the exclusivity of "lie solely".

be completely contingent

Highlights the conditional dependence on one factor alone, sharing the sense of exclusivity with "lie solely".

be uniquely determined

Stresses that something is determined by only one factor, similar to the singular focus in "lie solely".

hinge entirely

Conveys that everything depends on a single point, similar to how "lie solely" emphasizes a single dependency.

turn exclusively

Suggests a complete reliance on a single aspect, comparable to the exclusive nature of "lie solely".

be strictly limited

Focuses on the limitation to one particular aspect, similar to the restrictive nature of "lie solely".

be confined exclusively

Indicates that something is limited to a particular area or aspect, reflecting the exclusivity of "lie solely".

FAQs

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

You can use "lie solely" to emphasize that a particular outcome, responsibility, or cause is exclusively dependent on a single factor. For instance, "The success of this project does not "lie solely" with the marketing team; it also requires strong product development."

What are some alternatives to "lie solely"?

Alternatives to "lie solely" include "depend entirely", "rest exclusively", or "reside entirely". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "lay solely" instead of "lie solely"?

No, "lay" is a transitive verb and requires an object, while "lie" is intransitive and indicates a state or position. Therefore, "lie solely" is the correct form when indicating that something is exclusively based on a particular factor.

What's the difference between "lie solely" and "depend primarily"?

"Lie solely" indicates that something exclusively depends on a factor, whereas "depend primarily" suggests that while a factor is most important, other influences may still be present.