nearly the only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly the only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is almost the sole example or instance of a particular category or type, but there may be a few exceptions. Example: "He was nearly the only person who showed up to the meeting, as most others had prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

He turned his head, so his ear was nearly the only thing he could see.

The New Yorker

Projected onto a vertical strip of white fabric, the video is nearly the only set element.

The New York Times - Arts

"When I came, he was nearly the only store on the block," Ms. Musial said.

The New York Times

Nearly the only use it has is in celebrating the weeklong Jewish autumn holiday of Sukkot.

The New York Times

But nearly the only thing different about Trump in 2016 is that, this time, he's winning.

The New Yorker

For many years, Shirley Jackson was nearly the only "woman writer" I had read.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

named Brigadier Jerry, Russell was nearly always the only woman working in the reggae and dancehall circles she moved in.

The New Yorker

A bowl of fresh-squeezed cherry-tomato juice has a stunning flavor that nearly justifies the only passable piece of Arctic char that it accompanies.

The New Yorker

Service was nearly flawless, the only glitch being a busboy who failed to bring more butter when additional rolls were offered.

The New York Times

Regulatory gene expression patterns in the lineage are also nearly identical, the only potential difference being Nk4, which was not confidently detected in M. occidentalis TVCs.

eLife

DELTRAN results are nearly identical, the only difference (Supplementary Fig. S1) is that the large African phylotype includes six additional sequences due to the removal of some ancestral ambiguities.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly the only", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of what you're considering. For instance, specify the category or group to which the subject is nearly exclusive.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly the only" when there are significant exceptions. If several alternatives exist, a weaker qualifier like "one of the few" may be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly the only" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the degree to which something approximates being unique or singular. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly the only" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is almost unique, with very few exceptions. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While several alternatives exist, such as ""almost the sole"" and ""practically the only"", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the scope of exclusivity and that you avoid overstating the uniqueness if significant alternatives exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost the sole

Emphasizes singularity more strongly than "nearly the only".

practically the only

Suggests a pragmatic perspective on exclusivity, implying few exceptions.

virtually the only

Highlights that any exceptions are negligible or not truly valid.

essentially the only

Focuses on the fundamental or core aspect of being unique.

for all intents and purposes the only

A more verbose phrase emphasizing a practical near-exclusivity.

tantamount to the only

Implies functional equivalence to being the only one.

in effect the only

Highlights the practical outcome of a situation being nearly unique.

as good as the only

Conveys that the subject is functionally equivalent to being the only option.

scarcely not the only

Uses a double negative to subtly emphasize the near-uniqueness.

approaching being the only

Focuses on the trajectory towards uniqueness rather than current state.

FAQs

What does "nearly the only" mean?

The phrase "nearly the only" indicates that something is close to being the sole or exclusive example of its kind, implying very few other instances exist.

How can I use "nearly the only" in a sentence?

You can use "nearly the only" to describe situations where there are very few options or examples. For instance: "This restaurant is "practically the only" place open late in this neighborhood".

Are there alternatives to "nearly the only"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "almost the sole", "virtually the only", or "essentially the only" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost the only" instead of "nearly the only"?

Yes, "almost the only" is a valid and semantically similar alternative to "nearly the only". Both phrases convey a sense of near exclusivity.