only is there

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'only is there' is not correct in written English.
You might want to use the phrase 'only there is', which means 'the only thing that exists is...'. For example, "Only there is hope that we can find a solution to this problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not only is there no loss of pressure; if anything, you can sense the whole room tensing up.

The New Yorker

"Not only is there nothing violent in Love Is Strange, there's not even anything explicit.

The Guardian - Film

Not only is there no power.

The Guardian

Worse, not only is there no respect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not only is there the danger of a protectionist backlash.

The Economist

"Not only is there no net," he said.

The New York Times

Not only is there less architectural bulk, but also less information.

The New York Times - Arts

Not only is there a lack of will; there's a critical lack of skill.

Harvard Business Review

Not only is there little or no risk, there are ample opportunities to realize profit.

The Washington Post

Not only is there apparently no centre to this film, it seems to not care.

The Guardian - Film

Not only is there a cop watching these giants, she's carrying a really big stick.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to use the phrase "only is there", rephrase it as "there is only" or "only there is" to ensure grammatical correctness. This maintains the intended emphasis on singularity or exclusivity.

Common error

Avoid using the structure "only is there" in formal writing. This word order is not grammatically correct in standard English. Always invert to "there is only" or "only there is" for clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while grammatically incorrect as it stands, functions as an attempt to emphasize the exclusivity or singularity of something. When corrected to "there is only" or "only there is", it serves to assert that nothing else exists or is available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only is there" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, the proper phrasing is "there is only" or "only there is", which are used to emphasize the exclusivity or singularity of something. These corrected forms are frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure you use the correct word order to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy, adapting the phrase's tone to suit the formality of your content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is only

Inverts the original structure to a grammatically correct form, emphasizing the singular existence of something.

there's only

A contracted form of "there is only", maintaining the emphasis on singular existence but in a more informal tone.

only there is

Corrects the word order while keeping the focus on the exclusivity of what exists.

there exists only

Adds a more formal verb to emphasize the existence as being the sole possibility.

is there only

Transforms the statement into a question about the exclusivity of something's existence.

not only does there exist

Introduces the idea of multiple points or arguments, setting the stage for further details.

there is nothing but

Emphasizes that only one thing exists, excluding all others.

solely there is

Highlights the uniqueness of existence, indicating that nothing else is present.

merely there is

Indicates that something exists, but it is small and insignificant

purely there is

Specifies that existence is only of one kind, without any other elements

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "only is there"?

The grammatically correct alternatives are "there is only" or "only there is". The choice depends on the emphasis you want to convey.

Is "only is there" ever correct?

In standard English, "only is there" is considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use "there is only" or "only there is" instead.

What does "not only is there" mean, and how does it differ from "only is there"?

"Not only is there" is a correct phrase used to introduce an additional point that is surprising or unexpected. "Only is there" is generally ungrammatical, so there is no real comparison of meaning. If you want to say the unique thing, use "there is only".

What are some stylistic alternatives to "only there is"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "solely there is", "merely there is", or "purely there is" to add nuance to the expression of unique existence.