my sole consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my sole consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something is the only source of comfort or relief in a difficult situation. Example: "After the loss, my sole consolation was the support of my friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

My sole consolation was that I managed to get my revenge on the biting insects by eating a handful of termites, which disappointingly tasted like wood.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

My only consolation is that everyone was fooled.

The Guardian - Opinion

My only consolation is that I am not alone.

The New York Times - Health

My only consolation is that this is a vast improvement over the six preceding years.

The New York Times

"My only consolation was that I had already organized my research and lab around closing this gap". Biologists' picture of metastasis, it turned out, was particularly murky.

Johns Hopkins University

My only consolation is you probably are, too.

HuffPost

My only consolation is that if something goes wrong, I can write about it.

Huffington Post

Its sole consolation lay in shared misery.

The New Yorker

Vanya's sole consolation is his passion for Yelena.

The New Yorker

Mark's sole consolation is that Jeremy is, if anything, an even bigger loser.

Independent

Cigarettes, it seems, are the sole consolation left to the men of the first marines.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "my sole consolation", ensure the context clearly establishes the preceding loss, hardship, or disappointment, making it evident why this particular thing is the only source of comfort.

Common error

Avoid using "my sole consolation" when "only" or "main" would suffice. The word "sole" emphasizes that there are no other sources of comfort, so misuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my sole consolation" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement that identifies the only source of comfort. It is used to express a singular and unique source of relief in a situation of distress, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my sole consolation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something is the only source of comfort in a difficult situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's not a very common expression, it's found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, particularly in News & Media contexts. Alternatives include "my only comfort" or "my only solace". When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the hardship and why this specific thing serves as the singular comfort. Avoid overusing it where a simpler word like "only" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my only consolation

Removes the emphasis on "sole" and uses "only" as a more common alternative.

my only comfort

Replaces "sole consolation" with a more common synonym for comfort.

my only solace

Substitutes "consolation" with "solace", which conveys a sense of peace and comfort in sorrow.

my one source of comfort

Emphasizes the singularity of the source of comfort.

the only thing that comforts me

Expresses the sentiment in a more descriptive and less direct manner.

my single source of relief

Replaces "consolation" with "relief", focusing on alleviation of distress.

the only thing keeping me going

Conveys a sense of perseverance due to a single source of hope or comfort.

the only thing I can rely on

Focuses on the reliability and dependability of the source of comfort.

the light at the end of the tunnel

Uses a metaphor to describe the only source of hope in a difficult situation.

my last resort

Highlights that this consolation is the final option for comfort.

FAQs

What does "my sole consolation" mean?

The phrase "my sole consolation" means the only thing that provides comfort or relief in a situation of distress or disappointment. It emphasizes that there are no other sources of comfort.

How can I use "my sole consolation" in a sentence?

You can use "my sole consolation" to express that something is the only source of comfort in a difficult situation. For example: "After losing the competition, "my sole consolation" was the support of my teammates."

What can I say instead of "my sole consolation"?

You can use alternatives like "my only comfort", "my only solace", or "my one source of comfort" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "my sole consolation"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "my sole consolation". The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely understood. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly correct.