only one of

USAGE SUMMARY

"only one of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that there is a limited number of options or choices available. For example: - "Of all the applicants, only one of them will be chosen for the job." - "Out of the five flavors, only one of them was my favorite." - "I can only choose one option, so I'll have to pick only one of the two." This phrase can also be used to express uniqueness or exclusivity: - "She is the only one of her siblings to go to college." - "He is the only one of his friends who can speak Spanish." - "The house is the only one of its kind in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's only one of them.

The Guardian - Film

Only one of them is pink.

The Guardian

Statistical quality is only one of these.

Health Economics Review

Only one of the managers spoke English.

TechCrunch

Snapchat is only one of Vidcode's partners.

TechCrunch

But, only one of those was free?

TechCrunch

Only one of them.

Huffington Post

There's only one of those.

Huffington Post

There's only one of you.

Huffington Post

There's only one of him".

Huffington Post

Only one of them died.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only one of" to clearly indicate a singular item or instance when discussing a group or collection. This helps avoid ambiguity and emphasizes the selectiveness of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using a singular noun after "of" when using the phrase. The correct structure is "only one of the items" not "only one of the item."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one of" functions as a determiner phrase that singles out a specific element from a group. It acts to quantify and limit the selection to a single item, emphasizing its uniqueness or exclusivity within the context of a larger set. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a variety of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only one of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to single out a particular item or individual from a group, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys singularity or exclusivity across a variety of contexts. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. When employing this phrase, ensure correct grammatical structure, using a plural noun after "of" and a singular verb. Avoid common errors like incorrect pluralization. Consider alternatives like "just a single one of" or "solely one out of" for nuanced expression. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately use "only one of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a single one of

Emphasizes the 'single' aspect, adding a slight nuance of simplification.

precisely one of

Stresses exactness and accuracy in identifying the single item.

specifically one of

Emphasizes that a particular item is being singled out from the group.

solely one out of

Stresses exclusivity and selection from a defined set.

exclusively one from

Highlights that only this particular item is chosen, excluding all others.

merely one among

Highlights that the item is just one within a larger group, possibly downplaying its importance.

particularly one among

Suggests a specific focus on one item out of many, possibly implying a reason for the focus.

uniquely one within

Focuses on the unique aspect of the single item in the context of the group.

just a solitary one of

Reinforces the singular nature with 'solitary', implying aloneness or isolation.

singularly one of

Emphasizes that the item is unique or remarkable in its singularity.

FAQs

How can I use "only one of" in a sentence?

Use "only one of" to specify that just a single item or person out of a larger group possesses a certain characteristic or will be chosen. For example, "Only one of the applicants was selected for the internship".

What are some alternatives to using "only one of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include phrases like "just a single one of", "merely one among", or "solely one out of" to emphasize singularity or exclusivity.

Is it correct to say "only one of them is" or "only one of them are"?

The correct phrasing is "only one of them is". Because "one" is singular, it takes a singular verb.

What's the difference between "only one of" and "the only one of"?

"Only one of" implies selection from a group, while "the only one of" suggests uniqueness or exclusivity within a specified context. For example, "Only one of the students passed the test" versus "She is the only one of her siblings to become a doctor".