only more

USAGE SUMMARY

"only more" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is greater in amount or intensity than expected. For example: "She worked even harder than before, only more determined to reach her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only more cautious"..

The New Yorker

Only more so.

The New York Times

Only more grown up.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is only more so".

The New York Times

Relations grew only more poisonous.

The New Yorker

Apparently nothing, only more noise.

The New Yorker

This prompted only more indignation.

The Economist

There are only more mass graves.

The New Yorker

If only more politicians would catch up.

The New York Times

If only more were so confident.

Independent

The study made him only more concerned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only more" to emphasize a surprising or unexpected increase in something. For instance, "The situation became difficult, only more so when the funding was cut."

Common error

Avoid using "only more" when simply stating a fact without intending to emphasize a surprising increase. Instead of "The company hired staff, only more workers were needed", try "The company hired staff, but more workers were still needed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only more" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing an increase in degree, quantity, or intensity. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to highlight unexpected or heightened states. For example, "Their exchanges got "only more" heated."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only more" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that functions to emphasize an increase in degree, quantity, or intensity. As Ludwig highlights, it appears most commonly in News & Media contexts, with neutral register, signaling surprising or significant escalations. It's important to use "only more" when emphasizing an unexpected surge and to avoid it when simply stating a fact. Understanding these nuances will ensure effective and appropriate use of the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even more

Directly emphasizes the increased quantity or degree.

even greater

Emphasizes a higher degree or extent.

increasingly so

Highlights the progressive nature of the increase.

even further

Indicates advancement to a higher level or degree.

still more

Suggests an additional increment.

more intensely

Focuses on the increased intensity or force.

to a greater extent

Formally expresses the increased degree or scale.

to an even greater degree

Expresses a more significant increase.

yet again

Implies a recurrence or continuation of the increase.

with greater emphasis

Highlights the stronger focus or importance.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "only more" in a sentence?

Use "only more" to highlight a surprising increase or intensification of a situation or feeling. For example, "He was already tired, "only more" so after the marathon."

What are some alternatives to "only more"?

Alternatives include "even more", "increasingly so", or "still more", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "only more"?

Yes, "only more" is grammatically correct and commonly used to emphasize an increase in quantity or intensity.

When should I avoid using "only more"?

Avoid using "only more" when you simply want to state an increase without emphasizing surprise or intensification. In those cases, use something like "just more" or "simply more".