one of only two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'one of only two' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write: "The small town was one of only two places to offer the unique cuisine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The home is situated on one of only two highly coveted, beach-front streets in Malibu.

Forbes

Jenner is one of only two women on the list.

Forbes

Kane's penalty was one of only two shots on target in the first half.

BBC

One of only two sample loops on the whole LP, in fact.

Vice

Leave it to one of only two fifth-graders on the team to spark Carden Hall.

Los Angeles Times

The club is one of only two in Israel.

The New York Times - Sports

At school he was one of only two Jewish pupils.

The Guardian

O'Neill is one of only two memorable characters.

The New York Times

The Stanford MSx Program is one of only two master's degree programs at Stanford GSB.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is one of only two known copies.

Harvard University

One of only two Jewish girls admitted to the Gymnasium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one of only two" to emphasize rarity or exclusivity. For example, "This species is one of only two remaining in the region."

Common error

Avoid using "one of only two" without clearly defining what the 'two' refers to. Ambiguity can arise if the context doesn't make the limited group obvious to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one of only two" serves as a determiner and qualifier, specifying membership within a very restricted set. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is used to highlight rarity or exclusivity, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

36%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one of only two" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight the rarity or exclusivity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across diverse contexts. Analysis of the examples reveals that it is most commonly found in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register that fits both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the scope is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of just a pair

Replaces "only two" with "just a pair" for a slightly more informal tone.

one among merely two

Uses "merely two" to emphasize the small number, sounding more formal.

one of a scarce duo

Replaces "only two" with "a scarce duo" to highlight rarity.

part of a unique couple

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the pair and uses "couple" instead of "two."

included in a mere couple

Similar to 'one among merely two', reinforcing a small quantity

one of a select pair

Highlights exclusivity, using "select" to imply a chosen or special group of two.

belonging to a scant duet

Uses "scant duet" to convey that the number is barely sufficient.

a member of a limited twosome

Emphasizes belonging to a very restricted group of two.

one half of a rare set

Positions the subject as one part of a unique set.

a component of a restricted pair

Highlights being part of something limited or exclusive.

FAQs

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

Use "one of only two" to emphasize that something belongs to a very small and exclusive set. For example, "This restaurant is one of only two in the city that serves authentic paella."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "one of just a pair", "one among merely two", or "part of a unique couple", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "one of only two" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something is part of a very limited set.

What does "one of only two" emphasize?

The phrase "one of only two" emphasizes the rarity, exclusivity, or limited nature of something by highlighting its membership in a set containing only two items.