only confirming that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only confirming that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that something is being validated or acknowledged without adding new information. Example: "The report is only confirming that the project is on schedule and within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Police are not disclosing the ages of the women, only confirming that they are adults.

Independent

Neither company would explain the abrupt end of the program, only confirming that it has been discontinued.

The Washington Post

It brought disquiet to many people, only confirming that something was not right in a city that is not supposed to be quiet.

The New York Times

Nick Clegg has already publicly given his backing many times to the idea of nuclear power without subsidy, so the motion is only confirming that the party's members back his stance.

The Guardian

If we start invoking Trollope or Dickens as popular, prolific writers who also have literary respectability, we're only confirming that there's something antique about the idea of creating a large body of serious yet popular writing.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Zients did not give a date in his response two days later, only confirming that the budget would be delayed because of "the protracted 'fiscal cliff' negotiations," which consumed the final two months of 2012.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This only confirms that tell-tale moment of glee when the Tory benches shouted "More!

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, that only confirms that things are good in the city.

The New York Times

The judge said that her crying only "confirms that tensions were running high".

The New York Times

Mentors he met during summers spent working at an investment bank, at a law firm, and as a White House Fellow only confirmed that belief.

Harvard University

Number 10 would only confirm that Mr Cameron and Mr Obama had been in "regular touch" over the peace process.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only confirming that" to emphasize that you are reiterating existing information or validating a prior statement without introducing new details. This adds clarity and reinforces the point without unnecessary elaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "only confirming that" as a default phrase when a more specific verb could provide a clearer and more informative description of the action. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Consider alternatives like "demonstrating", "proving", or "validating" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only confirming that" functions as a restrictive modifier, emphasizing the limited scope of the action being described. It highlights that no new information is being introduced, but rather existing knowledge is being validated. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only confirming that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to validate existing information. Ludwig AI indicates its proper and consistent usage across diverse contexts, from news to science to academia. To enhance clarity, it's best used when reiterating information without adding new details, avoiding overuse in place of more descriptive verbs. Remember, this phrase is most common in news, followed by scientific and academic writing. By being mindful of these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely verifying that

Replaces 'confirming' with 'verifying' and 'only' with 'merely', slightly softening the emphasis.

just affirming that

Substitutes 'confirming' with 'affirming' and 'only' with 'just', creating a more conversational tone.

simply validating that

Replaces 'confirming' with 'validating' and 'only' with 'simply', emphasizing the act of making something valid.

solely corroborating that

Uses 'corroborating' instead of 'confirming' and 'solely' instead of 'only', highlighting the provision of supporting evidence.

purely substantiating that

Replaces 'confirming' with 'substantiating' and 'only' with 'purely', emphasizing the act of providing proof.

exclusively attesting that

Substitutes 'confirming' with 'attesting' and 'only' with 'exclusively', focusing on providing testimony or evidence.

merely establishing that

Replaces 'confirming' with 'establishing' and 'only' with 'merely', highlighting the act of setting something as a fact.

just bearing out that

Uses 'bearing out' instead of 'confirming' and 'just' instead of 'only', giving a more informal and descriptive nuance.

simply demonstrating that

Replaces 'confirming' with 'demonstrating' and 'only' with 'simply', shifting the focus to the act of showing or proving.

solely verifying that

Substitutes 'confirming' with 'verifying' and 'only' with 'solely', stressing that it's the one and only action that's happening.

FAQs

How can I use "only confirming that" in a sentence?

The phrase "only confirming that" is used to reiterate existing information or validate a previous statement without adding any new details. For example: "The study is "only confirming that" previous research findings were accurate."

What are some alternatives to "only confirming that"?

You can use alternatives like "merely verifying that", "just affirming that", or "simply validating that" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "only confirming that"?

Yes, "only confirming that" is grammatically correct. It uses "confirming" as a present participle to emphasize the act of confirming without introducing new information.

What is the difference between "only confirming that" and "confirming that"?

Adding "only" emphasizes that the action is limited to confirming something. "Confirming that" simply states the act of confirmation without any additional emphasis.