missed only because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "missed only because" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was overlooked or not achieved solely due to a specific reason. Example: "The opportunity was missed only because we didn't act quickly enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Both shoes rocketed squarely at Mr. Bush's head and missed only because of deft ducks by the president.

The New York Times

Hogan would have to wait until 1951 to win his first Masters, before romping another in 1953, the year of the Hogan Slam (Masters, US Open and Open, the PGA missed only because it ran concurrently with Britain's big one).

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One grandfather, Henry Clay Walker, she once said, chased her grandmother through the fields "shooting at her; missing only because he was drunk".

The Guardian - Books

Lindsay's lyrics are the crucial link between the two halves of his career, and here he sounds both ecstatic and conversational, barely concealing the song's sexual subtext, which you might miss, only because the production is so unassuming: "I know the world holds many words.

The New Yorker

Darvish in essence missed only one start because of a right trapezius strain, but hadn't pitched since 6 July.

The Guardian - Sport

He has famously missed only one play because of injury in his N.F.L. career, briefly leaving a game against Miami in 2001 after sustaining a broken jaw.

The New York Times - Sports

During four seasons with the Bulls, Curry missed only 11 games because of injuries: a bruised knee (seven games) and a bruised thigh (one game) in the 2003-4 seandn, and a strained hamstring (three games) last March.

The New York Times

STEELERS' WARD DOUBTFUL Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has a sprained knee and is doubtful for Sunday's game at Arizona. Ward has missed only three games because of injury in 10 seasons, but Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said he has not ruled Ward out.

The New York Times

He has missed only three scheduled commencement addresses, because of traffic and late start times, according to his campaign office.

The New York Times

Girardi has also been durable; over five years, he has missed only two regular-season games because of injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Wells had back surgery last July and has missed only one start this season because of his back.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "missed only because" to clearly and concisely state the single, primary reason for an oversight or failure.

Common error

Avoid adding secondary or less important reasons when using "missed only because". This phrase is most effective when pinpointing a single, clear cause. If multiple factors were involved, consider a different construction to reflect the complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "missed only because" functions as a causal connector, linking an event of omission or failure directly to its sole cause. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical usage and shows examples in credible sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "missed only because" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a singular reason for an oversight or failure. As validated by Ludwig AI, while its frequency is rare, it serves as a clear causal connector primarily found in news and scientific contexts. It is important to be aware of the best practices and avoid overcomplicating the causal explanation. Alternatives such as "overlooked solely because" or "failed only due to" can be used to convey similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. This phrase is used to express causality with the specific condition of being the only reason for something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlooked solely because

Replaces "missed" with "overlooked" emphasizing lack of attention.

failed only due to

Substitutes "missed" with "failed", highlighting the lack of success.

was not achieved simply because

Uses a more formal tone emphasizing the lack of achievement.

slipped by solely as a result of

Implies something was missed indirectly because of an event.

was neglected purely from

Emphasizes the neglect that led to something being missed.

ignored simply because

Highlights the state of something being ignored, leading to it being missed.

not noticed exclusively owing to

A more formal alternative meaning not spotted solely because of something.

evaded detection only due to

Suggests that the failure to notice was because of active attempt to not be found.

went unseen mainly due to

More direct way of highlighting that something was unseen or missed because of something.

was excluded uniquely through

Focuses on exclusion of an element because of something.

FAQs

How can I use "missed only because" in a sentence?

Use "missed only because" to indicate that something was overlooked solely due to a specific reason. For instance, "The detail was "missed only because" of a lack of attention to detail".

What are some alternatives to "missed only because"?

Alternatives include "overlooked solely because", "failed only due to", or "was not achieved simply because", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "missed only because" grammatically correct?

Yes, "missed only because" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a singular causal relationship. It's a clear way to state why something was missed.

What is the difference between "missed only because" and "missed because"?

"Missed because" indicates a reason for missing something, while ""missed only because"" emphasizes that the stated reason is the exclusive or primary cause of something being missed. The addition of "only" adds a degree of emphasis.