only one remains

USAGE SUMMARY

"only one remains" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation in which a certain thing was originally multiple but has been reduced to one. For example, "Of the five suspects, only one remains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Of his six immediate neighbors who were farmers when he was growing up, only one remains on their farm, Ruark said. .

Huffington Post

Of his six immediate neighbors who were farmers when he was growing up, only one remains on their farm, Ruark said.

HuffPost

If both people still remain on top of the bins, they then wrestle until only one remains, like a sort of drunken sumo wrestling, with more clothes and less dignity.

Vice

Today only one remains.

The New Yorker

Only one remains in prison.

The New Yorker

Only one remains in practice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Although drive-ins once flourished in the area, only one remains--the Valley Drive-in in Oceanside, which stands as a monument to back-seat parties, questionable sound quality and big screen bravado.

Los Angeles Times

He noted that as lawmakers wrestle with one of the most serious problems in state history--the energy crisis--only one remains in the Assembly from the group that deregulated electricity in 1996.

Los Angeles Times

Only one patient remains on study drug on a compassionate basis at 12.6+ months.

British Journal of Cancer

Only one fight remains on Jones's HBO contract.

The New York Times - Sports

Only one attorney remains to keep the lights on.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "only one remains" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts, more casual alternatives might be appropriate for informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "only one remains" in situations where a more descriptive or specific phrase would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of saying "Only one remains" after a company merger, specify which company is the surviving entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one remains" typically functions as a concise way to indicate that from a set of multiple items or entities, just a single one is left. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only one remains" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to express the concept of a single entity surviving or being left from a larger group. It is prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, carrying a neutral to slightly formal tone. Related phrases include "just one is left" and "sole survivor", offering slight variations in emphasis. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the context and desired level of formality, and avoid vagueness by specifying the entity that remains. With its widespread use and clear meaning, "only one remains" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just one is left

Replaces "remains" with the simpler "is left", maintaining the same meaning.

the only one left

Adds "the" for emphasis and replaces "remains" with "left".

sole survivor

Uses a noun phrase to describe the last one, emphasizing survival.

the last remaining

Reorders the words and implies the final entity of a set.

one single survivor

Adds "single" for emphasis, highlighting the uniqueness of the survivor.

only a single one is remaining

Emphasizes the singularity and uses the continuous form "is remaining".

the last one standing

Implies a competition or challenge, with only one victor.

exclusively one continues

Uses more formal language, focusing on continuation.

merely one endures

Employs elevated vocabulary, highlighting the act of enduring.

singular entity persists

Uses highly formal terms emphasizing persistence.

FAQs

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

You can use "only one remains" to indicate that out of a group or set, just one item is left. For example, "After the storm, only one house remains standing" or "Of the original team members, "only one remains"".

What phrases are similar to "only one remains"?

Alternatives include "just one is left", "sole survivor", "the only one left", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "only one remain"?

No, the grammatically correct form is "only one remains" because the subject "one" is singular, requiring the singular verb form "remains".

In what kind of writing is "only one remains" most appropriate?

"Only one remains" is suitable for formal writing, news reports, and situations where you want to emphasize the reduction to a single entity. It can be used in both serious and neutral contexts.