one and only reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one and only reason" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when emphasizing that there is a single, definitive reason for something. For example, "The one and only reason I chose this path is my passion for helping others." Alternative expressions include "the sole reason" and "the unique reason."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But as for "the one and only reason" — well, maybe not.

The New York Times - Books

The one and only reason that Sony are still flogging this particular dead horse must be that they have rights to the character through their purchase of the Spider-Man universe a few years back.

The Guardian - Film

After he and Chuck experience a near-miss in a smoldering Brooklyn building, though, he decides that the best way to ensure his children's future is to marry his best friend, which is the one and only reason this movie was made.

The New York Times

A member of this process is cited by Argyris (1977) with the words: "Why don't they say that they want to control this place?" The answer would be: because the double bind-play's core purpose is exactly to disguise the root of its one and only reason: to control processes and others to reign over them.

Journal of Organization Design

The one and only reason for this success is the cheers, the age old kindness of strangers.

Huffington Post

The one and only reason ​I​ am re-releasing all of my original albums is that this is the first time ever that ​I​'ve actually owned them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The very idea of a state wide minimum wage isn't a good one and the only reason we've put up with it so far is because it has been reasonably low.

Forbes

Now, America is on the brink of diving off the cliff for one and only one reason: many House Republicans are terrified of primary challenges from the Tea Party right.

Huffington Post

"There is one and only one reason why we have not been able to go out with earnings," Mr. Malcolm said.

The New York Times

They were hoping Edney's shot had been a fraction late, but Edney knew the basket counted for one and only one reason: His ears were still ringing.

The New York Times - Sports

There is one, and only one, reason for it: she's crazy-ass in love with him — and it is still true.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one and only reason" to clearly and emphatically state that there is a singular justification or cause for a particular situation or action.

Common error

Avoid using "one and only reason" when multiple factors contribute to a situation. Overusing it can oversimplify complex issues and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one and only reason" functions as a determiner and noun phrase. It's used to specify and emphasize that there is a single, definitive justification for something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one and only reason" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize a singular cause or motivation. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While effective for clarity, it's best to avoid overusing it in complex situations with multiple contributing factors. Consider alternatives such as "sole reason" or "primary reason" to fine-tune the emphasis of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole reason

Emphasizes uniqueness and exclusivity of the reason, minimizing other contributing factors.

only cause

Stresses that there is no other cause involved.

primary reason

Highlights the main reason among potentially several others.

main reason

Focuses on the principal reason, without necessarily excluding other reasons.

single reason

Highlights the singularity of the justification.

chief reason

Emphasizes the importance and dominance of the reason.

principal reason

Indicates the most important or fundamental reason.

fundamental reason

Highlights the basic and essential nature of the reason.

basic reason

Focuses on the simple and underlying reason.

essential reason

Stresses the critical and indispensable nature of the reason.

FAQs

How can I use "one and only reason" in a sentence?

You can use "one and only reason" to emphasize that there is a single, definitive cause or justification for something. For example, "The "one and only reason" I chose this career path is my desire to help others."

What are some alternatives to "one and only reason"?

Alternatives include phrases like "sole reason", "primary reason", or "main reason", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "one and only reason"?

Yes, "one and only reason" is grammatically correct and widely used in English to highlight a singular, exclusive cause or justification.

What is the difference between "one and only reason" and "main reason"?

"One and only reason" emphasizes that there is absolutely no other cause or justification, while "main reason" simply indicates the most important reason among potentially several others.