only just one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only just one" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used to emphasize the singularity of something, but it is often better to choose a more concise expression. Example: "I only just want one cookie, please."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

This is not only just speculation, and not only just one view, it is only one speculative view based on views collected in one city.

Huffington Post

She was 38; her son Ross was five and her daughter India was only just one.

The Guardian

He is wearing a gold earring, too, kind of like the Buddha, only just one earring, instead of two.

The New Yorker

For scenario B, the respondents were asked to choose between the bank options given the requirement that they would maintain only just one account.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Although this demonstrates only just one example, the basic feature of V s structures that potentially cause d t 3−2 anomalies as large as the observed values should be more or less the same.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Music was only just one part of the overall activity at Culture House, which catered to all varieties of the arts.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Is he the only one with a conflict, or just the only one who owned up to it?

The New York Times

Only one of his commercials attacked the Likud leader, just as only one of Mr. Sharon's attacked the prime minister.

The New York Times

He's not just the only one in a wheelchair.

The New York Times

They let you know you're not just the only one thinking.

The New York Times - Arts

He's just the only one whose lawsuit got this far.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "only one" or "just one" instead of "only just one" for better conciseness and clarity. The latter can sometimes sound redundant.

Common error

Avoid using "only just one" when "only one" or "just one" sufficiently conveys your intended meaning. Overusing qualifiers can make your writing sound repetitive or uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only just one" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a singular quantity. It emphasizes the limited or unique nature of the noun it precedes. Ludwig examples show the phrase being used in various contexts to highlight the fact that there is a sole item or instance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "only just one" is often considered somewhat redundant. Ludwig's analysis suggests that simpler alternatives like "only one" or "just one" are frequently preferred for clarity and conciseness, especially in formal writing. The phrase functions to emphasize singularity, but the added emphasis might not always be necessary or desirable. As stated in Ludwig AI, it is often better to choose a more concise expression. Occurring most frequently in News & Media sources, it's less common in formal academic or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely one

Replaces "only just" with "merely", suggesting a simple or minimal quantity.

simply one

Replaces "only just" with "simply", conveying ease or lack of complexity in the singularity.

just a single

Emphasizes the singularity using "single" instead of "one", adding a bit more stress.

only a single

Similar to "just a single", but uses "only" to highlight the limitation.

solely one

Replaces "only just" with "solely", indicating exclusivity or uniqueness.

exclusively one

Highlights that it is uniquely one, excluding other possibilities.

uniquely one

Focuses on the distinctiveness of being just one.

precisely one

Emphasizes the exactness of having only one.

specifically one

Highlights that it's confined to only one case or instance

particularly one

Emphasizes the singularity with a sense of selection.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to use "only just one"?

While not strictly incorrect, "only just one" can sound awkward or redundant. Simpler alternatives like "only one" or "just one" are often preferred for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "only just one"?

The phrase might be used to emphasize the singularity or smallness of a quantity, but consider if the emphasis is truly needed. Often, context makes it clear enough with either "only" or "just" alone.

What are some alternatives to "only just one" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider more concise options like "solely one" or "simply one" to maintain a professional tone.

How does "only just one" differ in meaning from "only one"?

The difference is subtle; "only just one" adds a slight emphasis on the "just", perhaps implying a recent or barely sufficient quantity. However, this nuance is often negligible, making "only one" the more common and efficient choice.