one sole thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'one sole thing' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to emphasize an important object or idea. For example: "My one sole thing was to make sure everyone was safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

From her performance in "Roots" to her role in "The Help" to her recent guest appearance on "How to Get Away with Murder," the 81-year-old actress has proven to be a diverse talent, but, as she tells "Oprah's Master Class," there's one sole thing that each of her parts has in common.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Take a one-on-one thing.

WikiHow

"Sole" authority means the authority of one (sole, solo, etc).

Huffington Post

Chauffeur – Soles On Fire (From Blind for the Kids) One man, one sole.

The Guardian - Music

The sole thing I have learned worth the telling is the ironclad necessity of retaining control over one's essential bodily fluids".

The New York Times

Despite the multiple hats, there is one sole goal.

The New York Times

"I would be able to move and that is my sole thing right now.

The Guardian

The sole thing the estate sorely lacks?

Forbes

"Everyone is here for one sole reason.

Huffington Post

After that, he didn't do one sole political painting.

Los Angeles Times

The sole compensation was that he promised one other thing – a green paper leading up to a communications bill at the end of next year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one sole thing" to emphasize the uniqueness or exclusivity of an object, idea, or action, adding a touch of formality or heightened importance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "one sole thing" too frequently, as its emphatic nature can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Reserve it for situations where the emphasis is truly warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one sole thing" functions as an emphatic identifier. It singles out a specific item or concept, emphasizing its uniqueness or exclusivity. It is often used to draw attention to a particular focus or objective as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one sole thing" serves as an emphatic phrase to single out a unique or exclusive item. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it's grammatically correct but relatively rare in modern English. While versatile, it's best used sparingly to maintain its impact and is appropriate in Neutral registers and contexts where the need to focus attention on a single aspect is critical. As Ludwig examples showcase, it highlights the singular importance in various contexts, from news to personal goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the one and only thing

This alternative intensifies the exclusivity, adding a stronger sense of importance.

the only thing

This alternative is more common and straightforward, losing the emphasis provided by 'sole'.

the single thing

This alternative replaces 'sole' with 'single', offering similar emphasis, but slightly less formal.

the unique thing

This alternative changes the focus slightly to highlight the distinctiveness rather than the exclusivity.

just one thing

This alternative uses "just" to soften the emphasis compared to "sole".

the solitary item

This alternative uses 'item' instead of 'thing', making it slightly more formal and specific.

simply one thing

This alternative uses "simply" to convey a sense of ease or lack of complexity

the exclusive aspect

This alternative focuses on 'aspect' instead of 'thing', changing the focus to a particular feature.

merely one thing

This alternative employs "merely" to diminish the perceived significance.

the particular object

This alternative uses 'object' to denote a more tangible or specific item.

FAQs

How can I use "one sole thing" in a sentence?

You can use "one sole thing" to emphasize the unique or only aspect of something. For example, "Her "one sole thing" was to ensure everyone was safe."

What's a good alternative to "one sole thing"?

Alternatives include "the only thing", "the single thing", or "the one and only thing", depending on the context and level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "one sole thing" redundant?

While "sole" already implies 'one', using "one sole thing" can add emphasis. However, be mindful of overuse, as it can sound repetitive.

When is it appropriate to use "one sole thing" instead of "the only thing"?

Use "one sole thing" when you want to add a touch of formality or emphasize the exclusivity of something more strongly than "the only thing" might convey. However, be aware it is less frequent.