not solely because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not solely because" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that there are multiple reasons for something, not just one specific reason. Example: "She chose to pursue a career in medicine not solely because of her passion for helping others, but also due to the job stability it offers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 49ers needed Garcia, and not solely because of his solid play on the field.

The New York Times - Sports

The difficulties of translating such poetry are probably insurmountable, and not solely because of linguistic differences.

The New York Times - Books

But Maryland is here, too, not solely because Durkin was hired and McNair died.

The Washington Post

"People begin to burrow underground like rabbits," perhaps not solely because of urban development.

The New York Times - Arts

But for all the resentment, resisting the government is difficult, and not solely because of the crackdown.

The New York Times

And not solely because he is personable, but because he is productive, during games and in practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Economic development arises as a result of these organizations' catalytic innovation business models, not solely because of their resources.

Harvard Business Review

The nation's exports have been falling in the last few years, and not solely because of the recent drop in the value of the dollar.

The New York Times

You have to want it, you have to be choosing it not solely because it's the most convenient option but because it makes you feel good".

The Guardian

Two more books about the sea should find favor with young readers, especially for — though not solely because of — their art.

The New York Times - Books

But from Rudisha it is believable, not solely because of the smile; he does not downplay the undownplayable, nor is there conceit in the deeply conceiting.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by varying your sentence structure. For instance, instead of saying 'The company's success wasn't solely due to marketing, but also due to product innovation,' you can write 'The company's success stemmed not solely from marketing, but also from product innovation.'

Common error

Avoid using "not solely because" without providing the other contributing factors. It creates an incomplete and potentially misleading statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not solely because" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a stated reason is not the only cause or explanation for a particular situation. As supported by Ludwig AI, this suggests that additional factors contribute to the outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not solely because" serves as a causal connector, indicating that a stated reason is not the sole factor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure to provide the additional reasons for clarity. Be aware of the potential error of omitting these reasons, leading to an incomplete explanation. Consider alternatives such as "not just because" or "partly because" depending on the desired level of formality. The phrase strikes a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication, making it a versatile addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not just because

Slightly more informal and direct.

not merely because

More formal and emphasizes a lack of importance.

not simply because

Similar to "not just because" but slightly more emphatic.

not only because

Highlights other reasons in addition to the stated one.

not exclusively because

Emphasizes that other factors contribute significantly.

not entirely because

Indicates partial causation, implying other significant causes exist.

not principally because

Suggests the stated reason is not the main one.

not mainly because

Similar to "not principally because" but slightly less formal.

partly because

Highlights that something is one of several contributing factors.

not attributable only to

Formal and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of causation.

FAQs

What does "not solely because" mean?

The phrase "not solely because" means that something is not only due to a particular reason, but also to other factors. It implies that there are multiple reasons contributing to a specific outcome.

How can I use "not solely because" in a sentence?

You can use "not solely because" to indicate that a particular cause is not the only one responsible for a certain effect. For example: "The team lost "not solely because" of poor defense, but also due to ineffective offense."

What can I say instead of "not solely because"?

You can use alternatives like "not just because", "not merely because", or "partly because" depending on the context.

Is "not solely because" formal or informal?

"Not solely because" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, you might consider using alternatives like "not exclusively because" for a more sophisticated tone.