one of just two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one of just two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific item or individual that is part of a limited group of two. Example: "She is one of just two finalists in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition to opposing Trump's apparent stance on Paris, Musk was one of just two of Trump's business advisers to condemn the president's executive order targeting Muslims.

Huffington Post

During 5 hours of programming, Juan Williams was one of just two African Americans to appear live on FOX News.

Huffington Post

It is one of just two retailers to qualify for a Fair Tax Mark.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Patriots are one of just two N.F.L. teams that now need a head coach.

The New York Times - Sports

It is one of just two sites of its type in the world.

The New York Times

It was one of just two things that would go their way.

The New York Times - Sports

Hammersmith is one of just two areas where houses have earned more than their occupants for the past 10 years.

The Guardian - Money

She is among the barely 100 female neurosurgeons in the country, and one of just two in Westchester County.

The New York Times

The "Call o' the Glen" script is one of just two he has rattling around in his desk.

The New York Times

One of just two gorillas in the world who are said by handlers to have learned human language has died.

The New York Times

Kurt Golledge, 48, was one of just two truckers loading his green, 75-foot-long hauler with cars last week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one of just two" to highlight exclusivity or rarity. For instance, "This species is "one of just two" known to exhibit this behavior."

Common error

Avoid using "one of only two" when the 'only' is redundant. The phrase "one of just two" already implies a limited quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of just two" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically highlighting that a subject belongs to an exclusive and very limited group. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one of just two" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize that something belongs to a very limited set. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to highlight the rarity, uniqueness, or exclusivity of a subject. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating its versatility across different domains. Alternatives include phrases like "one of only two", though the original phrase is generally preferred for its conciseness. When using this phrase, be sure to avoid redundancy by not including unnecessary qualifiers like 'only'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of only two

Uses 'only' instead of 'just' to emphasize the limited quantity.

one of the only two

Adds 'the' to emphasize exclusivity.

only one of two

Rearranges the order to emphasize the uniqueness from a total of two.

just one of two

Swap the order of just and one.

one of a mere two

Replaces 'just' with 'mere' to highlight the insignificance of the number.

one of a scant two

Substitutes 'just' with 'scant' to stress the scarcity.

among only two

Changes the structure to 'among' emphasizing belonging to a set.

one of a couple

Replaces 'two' with 'couple' while maintaining the limited quantity.

part of a pair

Uses 'pair' to specify two items and emphasize a partnership.

one in a duo

Employs 'duo' to imply a close association between the two.

FAQs

How can I use "one of just two" in a sentence?

Use "one of just two" to emphasize that something belongs to a very small group of two. For example, "She is "one of just two" employees who received the award."

What's a similar phrase to "one of just two"?

You can use phrases like "one of only two" or "among only two" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "one of only two" instead of "one of just two"?

Yes, "one of only two" is a valid alternative, although "one of just two" is slightly more concise. The difference is subtle and often depends on stylistic preference.

What does "one of just two" emphasize in a sentence?

The phrase "one of just two" emphasizes the rarity, uniqueness, or exclusivity of the item or person being discussed.