only carrier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only carrier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a single entity or company that provides a specific service, often in the context of telecommunications or transportation. Example: "In this region, the only carrier offering unlimited data plans is XYZ Telecom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Piedmont is not the only carrier to borrow Eastern's idea.

The New York Times

In several regions Canadian Pacific is the only carrier.

The New York Times

"They are the only carrier to do it," said Jack Ferry, a Kmart spokesman.

The New York Times

Bray was the only Carrier employee who had appeared on television that day.

The Washington Post

Airlines are a particular challenge; Air Canada is the only carrier currently screening Wolfe Video titles.

The New York Times

Verizon, the only carrier behind the Kin, tended to promote phones running Google's Android software.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

One of the main characteristic is that only carrier-phase observations are used to avoid particular effects of pseudorange observations.

Advances in Space Research

Those are not the only carriers making changes.

The New York Times - Travel

Mosquitoes are not the only carriers of pathogens from the wild to humans.

Yale University

Although women can get X-linked recessive disorders, it is very rare and they are usually only carriers.

The Guardian

Name companies like Apple, Facebook and Google are making services available that traditionally only carriers could offer.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only carrier" when you want to emphasize the exclusivity or lack of alternatives in a particular service or role. For example, "In this region, Verizon is the only carrier offering 5G coverage."

Common error

Avoid using "only carrier" when there are known alternatives, even if they are less common or less effective. Saying "XYZ Corp is the only carrier of this technology" may be misleading if another company is also developing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only carrier" functions as a noun phrase that typically modifies another noun, identifying an entity as the sole provider or deliverer of a service or product. Ludwig confirms the frequent use of this phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only carrier" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote that a single entity provides a specific service or function, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans across various domains, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, clarity in the type of carrier being discussed is crucial to avoid ambiguity. While "sole provider" and "exclusive carrier" serve as viable alternatives, the best choice depends on the specific context. Be cautious of generalizations and ensure accuracy when asserting that an entity is the "only carrier" to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole provider

Emphasizes the lack of competition and the exclusive nature of the service.

exclusive carrier

Highlights the exclusivity of the carrier's rights or services.

unique provider

Stresses the distinctiveness and lack of similar alternatives.

singular carrier

Focuses on the single, individual nature of the carrier.

only service provider

Specifically indicates that the entity is providing a service, and no other does.

sole distributor

Emphasizes the exclusivity in distributing a product or service.

exclusive distributor

Focuses on the distribution aspect, highlighting its exclusive nature.

single source

Highlights that there is only one origin or supplier for something.

sole option

Emphasizes that no other choice or alternative is available.

exclusive avenue

Indicates that this is the sole path or method available.

FAQs

How to use "only carrier" in a sentence?

You can use "only carrier" to emphasize that a particular company or entity is the sole provider of a specific service. For example, "In this area, AT&T is the "only carrier" offering fiber optic internet."

What can I say instead of "only carrier"?

You can use alternatives like "sole provider", "exclusive carrier", or "unique provider" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "only carrier" or "the only carrier"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. Using "the only carrier" adds a level of specificity, while "only carrier" can be used in more general statements. For example, "Delta is the "only carrier" with non-stop flights to that city."

What's the difference between "only carrier" and "main carrier"?

"Only carrier" indicates that there is literally just one carrier for a particular service. "Main carrier" indicates that there are other carriers, but one is dominant. For example, "While there are several mobile providers, Verizon is the main carrier in this region."