only one possible answer

USAGE SUMMARY

"only one possible answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to emphasize that there is only one correct, or appropriate, answer to the question. For example, "What is the capital of the United Kingdom? Only one possible answer: London."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

There was only one possible answer.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was only one possible answer for Rear Adm.

The New York Times - Sports

To Charles's fascinated horror, the question is of central importance to the family, and there is only one possible answer.

The New York Times

I do not believe that there is only one possible answer to questions that are put to the Supreme Court.

The New York Times

Or, if there's only one possible answer for your query (weather, stock price, sports scores, street address), you get that answer right at the top: a five-day weather forecast, a stock chart, game scores, a street map.

The New York Times - Tech

Only one possible answer.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In A Different Story, he asks his former Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley whose life he would have rather had - his own or Michael's - as if there could only be one possible answer.

The Guardian - Music

Alex is sensitive and easily identified with one possible answer: "Alone, as if he were the only one this ever happened to".

The New York Times

The hope was that when all was said and done, there would be only one solution to the theory's tangled equations, one answer corresponding to only one possible universe.

The New York Times - Science

One possible answer is that because little is at stake in these second-order elections only those with an established habit of voting, acquired in previous national elections, can be counted on to vote.

Electoral Studies

One possible answer?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only one possible answer" to emphasize the certainty and lack of alternatives in a given situation. This phrase is useful in arguments, explanations, and problem-solving scenarios where clarity is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "only one possible answer" in situations that inherently involve subjective opinions or multiple valid perspectives. It can come across as dismissive or close-minded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one possible answer" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun. It indicates that there is just one solution or response available. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only one possible answer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for highlighting the singularity of a solution or response. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for use in various writing contexts, although it's best reserved for situations where genuine certainty and a lack of valid alternatives exist. The phrase appears most often in news and media sources, and in scientific publications. When choosing a substitute, consider options like "sole feasible answer" or "no alternative answer" to emphasize the exclusivity and certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only conceivable answer

Replaces "possible" with "conceivable", suggesting that no other answers are imaginable.

sole feasible answer

Substitutes "possible" with "feasible", emphasizing that it's the only practical solution.

just one answer is viable

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the viability of the single answer.

there's but one answer

Uses a more formal and emphatic tone to convey the singularity of the answer.

uniquely correct answer

Highlights that the answer is not only the only possible one, but also the only correct one.

no alternative answer

Directly states the lack of any other answers.

one single answer is apparent

Emphasizes the obviousness of the one and only answer.

only real answer

Indicates that other 'answers' might be offered, but this is the only genuine one.

it admits of only one answer

Uses a more formal tone indicating that the situation is open to just one conclusion or answer.

the answer is singular

Highlights the unique character of the correct response.

FAQs

How can I use "only one possible answer" in a sentence?

You can use "only one possible answer" to emphasize that a question or situation has a single, clear solution. For example, "Given the evidence, there's "only one possible answer" to the mystery."

What phrases are similar to "only one possible answer"?

Similar phrases include "sole feasible answer", "just one answer is viable", and "no alternative answer". These all convey a lack of options or alternatives.

Is it appropriate to use "only one possible answer" in academic writing?

Yes, "only one possible answer" is appropriate in academic writing when discussing problems or questions that genuinely have a single, definitive solution. However, be cautious in fields where interpretation and multiple perspectives are common.

What's the difference between "only one possible answer" and "one possible answer"?

"Only one possible answer" emphasizes the exclusivity and certainty of a single solution. "One possible answer" simply suggests that a solution exists without excluding the possibility of other valid responses.