only due to

USAGE SUMMARY

"only due to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something happened because of a single reason or cause. Example: He was late to the meeting only due to traffic.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adults only due to complimentary alcoholic beverages.

Harvard University

"He was only due to be there for three weeks.

The Guardian

It was only due to the coöperation I got".

The New Yorker

Inhibitor anions are released only due to an active defect.

Corrosion Science

It's replacement, the Local Growth Fund, is currently only due to run until 2016.

The Guardian

Hofer's success isn't only due to the standstill the governing coalition parties have caused.

The Guardian

"Clients of certain nationalities are discriminated against only due to their citizenship.

The Guardian

Young Antoine Doinel's misdeed becomes a crime only due to appallingly harsh parenting.

The New Yorker

He barely won only due to Obama bundlers financing the Libertarian candidate.

University of California, Berkeley

The difference was only due to the timers we used to set up the pulses.

Cornell University

It was saved only due to the efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "only due to" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "exclusively due to" may be more appropriate in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "only due to" if other elements also influenced the outcome. Instead, acknowledge multiple contributing factors or use language that indicates primary but not exclusive causation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "only due to" is to act as a causal connector, indicating a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It specifies that a particular outcome is solely the result of the stated reason. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only due to" functions as a causal connector, emphasizing that a specific outcome is caused by a single reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its register ranges from neutral to formal, consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings.

The phrase sees frequent use in science, news and media, and academic contexts. Therefore, when incorporating "only due to" in your writing, ensure the context clearly supports a single cause and consider your audience's expectations for formality. Understanding these nuances will lead to more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exclusively due to

Emphasizes that something is solely and completely caused by the specified factor, leaving no room for other influences.

Solely attributable to

Highlights the cause as the only one responsible, often used in formal or analytical contexts.

Simply because of

Indicates a straightforward and uncomplicated reason for something.

Merely as a result of

Suggests that the outcome is a direct and almost insignificant consequence of the stated cause.

Purely from

Implies that the cause is the only and unmixed source of the effect.

Resulting entirely from

Stresses that the consequence is fully and completely caused by the mentioned reason.

Attributable only to

Similar to "solely attributable to" but emphasizes the act of assigning the cause.

Consequence solely of

Highlights the outcome as a direct and unique effect of the cause.

Deriving exclusively from

Implies that the outcome originates completely from the specified reason.

Just down to

Informal way to express that something is caused by the specified reason.

FAQs

What does "only due to" mean?

The phrase "only due to" signifies that something happened or is the way it is because of a single, specific reason. It excludes any other contributing factors.

How can I use "only due to" in a sentence?

You can use "only due to" to clearly state the single cause of an event or situation. For example, "The game was won "only due to the goalie's skill"".

What are some alternatives to "only due to"?

Alternatives include "exclusively due to", "solely due to", or "simply because of" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to use "only due to"?

Yes, "only due to" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing, although it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects a singular cause. As Ludwig AI explains, the sentence structure and semantics are well-established.