only one that

USAGE SUMMARY

"only one that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that there is only one example of something, for instance: "He was the only one that knew the truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm the only one that gets to suck on those.

Huffington Post

The only one that doesn't is Chattanooga".

The New York Times

Gove is the only one that hasn't.

The Guardian

There is only one that really matters.

The Guardian

Australia is the only one that hasn't".

The Guardian

"This is the only one that survived".

The New Yorker

Her plan is the only one that can deliver this.

The Guardian

The only one that is different is Auggie himself.

The Washington Post

He's the only one that comes to mind.

The Guardian - Sport

The only one that isn't?

Forbes

Because it's the only one that makes any sense.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only one that" to clearly indicate a unique instance, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "who" instead of "that" when referring to objects or concepts; "who" should generally be reserved for people. For example, use "the only car that I want" instead of "the only car who I want".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one that" functions as a determiner specifying a singular, unique instance or entity. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase clearly isolates a particular item or individual from a broader context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only one that" is a common and grammatically sound way to express uniqueness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, ensure to use "that" appropriately for objects, reserving "who" for people. While alternatives exist, "only one that" is a clear and effective choice for emphasizing exclusivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole one which

Uses 'which' instead of 'that' and 'sole' for emphasis.

unique one that

Replaces "only" with "unique", emphasizing distinctiveness.

single one that

Substitutes "only" with "single", highlighting the singularity.

just one that

Replaces "only" with "just", indicating that it is the only one.

the only one who

Replaces "that" with "who", appropriate when referring to a person.

the sole entity that

Uses more formal language to emphasize exclusivity.

the only thing that

Specifies that "only one" refers to a "thing".

none other than

Emphasizes that there are no other options or entities.

exclusively that one

Inverts the structure for emphasis on exclusivity.

specifically that one

Highlights a particular item to the exclusion of others.

FAQs

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

Use "only one that" to single out a specific item or person from a group. For instance, "This is the "only one that" matters" or "She's the "only one that" can help".

What is a synonym for "only one that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "sole one which", "unique one that", or "single one that", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When should I use "who" instead of "that" with "only one"?

Use "who" specifically when referring to a person. For example, "He is the "only one who" understands me". Otherwise, "that" is generally appropriate.

Is it grammatically correct to use "only one that" in formal writing?

Yes, "only one that" is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal writing. It's a common and accepted phrase to express uniqueness or exclusivity.