one of many

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one of many" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is part of a larger group or category. Example: "This painting is one of many that were created during the artist's early years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The book is one of many on ovarian cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

"One of many problems".

The New York Times

One of many L200 variants.

Independent

Just one of many.

The Guardian - Tech

I was one of many.

The New York Times

Zhou is one of many.

The Guardian

He is one of many.

The New York Times

But it's one of many.

The New York Times

One of many happy inventions.

The Guardian - Film

It's one of many ideas under consideration".

The New York Times - Sports

She was just one of many.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "one of many", ensure the context clearly establishes the larger group to which it belongs. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "one of many" without specifying or implying what the 'many' are. Without context, the phrase loses its meaning and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of many" functions as a determiner phrase, indicating that something is a member of a larger, often unspecified, group. Ludwig shows its versatility across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

13%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one of many" is a versatile and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that something belongs to a larger group, often diminishing its individual importance or highlighting its commonality. It is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, though clarity requires that the larger group be either explicitly stated or implicitly understood. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its prevalence in news and media, as well as in scientific writing. Alternatives like "one among many" or "just one of many" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one among many

Emphasizes being included within a larger group.

just one of many

Highlights insignificance within a larger context.

one in many

Focuses on individuality or rarity within a larger group.

part of many

Highlights being a component of something larger.

a member of many

Emphasizes belonging to multiple groups.

one of numerous

Formally emphasizes the large quantity of the group.

one of several

Indicates belonging to a small to moderate group.

one of a multitude

Emphasizes a very large, uncountable group.

one instance of many

Highlights being a specific case among others.

one example of many

Stresses being representative of a larger set of instances.

FAQs

How can I use "one of many" in a sentence?

Use "one of many" to indicate that something is part of a larger group. For example, "This book is "one of many" on the subject."

What are some alternatives to "one of many"?

Alternatives include "one among many", "one of several", or "just one of many", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "one in many" instead of "one of many"?

While "one in many" is grammatically correct, it carries a slightly different meaning. It suggests rarity or individuality within a large group, whereas "one of many" simply indicates inclusion in a group. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "one of many" and "a few"?

"One of many" emphasizes that something is part of a larger, possibly countless, group. "A few" implies a small, specific number. The choice depends on whether you want to stress inclusion in a large group or indicate a small quantity.