only one vote

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only one vote" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing elections, decision-making processes, or any situation where a single vote is significant. Example: "In this election, every citizen is entitled to only one vote, ensuring fairness in the democratic process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Losing there meant they would have only one vote to spare — further imperiling legislative success on his watch.

The Washington Post

The Australian government spent about $40m on its World Cup bid but received only one vote.

BBC

Only one vote is allowed per person.

The Times

There was only one vote against.

The Guardian

An individual has only one vote to cast.

The Guardian - Opinion

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 2 — In the end, only one vote mattered.

The New York Times

And here, too, the governor has only one vote.

The Guardian - Business

But there was only one vote going for England.

The Guardian - Sport

"Ultimately, there was only one vote," Roger Straus III says.

The New Yorker

Athens, which had the lion's share of the power, had only one vote.

Yale University

Underclassmen can certainly donate as many times as they want during the campaign, each donor is allowed only one vote.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only one vote", ensure the context clearly establishes what the vote is influencing, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "only one vote per person" or "only one vote separated the candidates".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "only one vote" always implies a lack of importance. Emphasize the potential impact, especially in close contests or critical decisions. Don't diminish its possible decisive role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only one vote" primarily functions as a quantifier specifying the number of votes. It emphasizes the singular nature of the vote, often highlighting its potential significance, especially in close contests. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only one vote" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly emphasizes the singular nature or limited scope of a voting action, and often highlights the potentially significant impact of a single vote. To ensure clarity, always specify the context of the vote and avoid diminishing its potential importance, especially in close or decisive situations. Related phrases include "a single vote" and "just one vote". Remember that while seemingly insignificant, that single vote can be surprisingly impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solitary vote

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the vote.

just a single vote

Adds emphasis to the limited quantity of the vote.

merely one vote

Highlights the insignificance or smallness of the vote.

a lone vote

Similar to "a solitary vote", emphasizing isolation.

one individual vote

Specifies that the vote comes from a single person.

a single ballot

Replaces "vote" with a synonym referring to the voting medium.

one affirmative vote

Highlights one instance in favor.

the impact of one vote

Focuses on the potential influence of that single vote.

sole vote

Highlights uniqueness.

a decisive vote

This version implies that the single vote determined the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "only one vote" to emphasize the limited number of votes allowed or the small margin in a decision, as in "Each member is entitled to "only one vote"" or "The bill passed by "only one vote"".

What phrases are similar to "only one vote"?

Similar phrases include "a single vote", "just one vote", or "merely one vote", all conveying the idea of a solitary or limited vote.

Is it always correct to use "only one vote"?

Yes, "only one vote" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, clarify who has "only one vote" and what they are voting on.

What's the difference between "only one vote" and "a single vote"?

While both phrases are similar, "only one vote" often implies a sense of limitation or narrowness, whereas "a single vote" is more neutral. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.