only pertain to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only pertain to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying that something is relevant or applicable exclusively to a particular subject or context. Example: "The rules outlined in this document only pertain to employees working in the marketing department."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They are time-consuming to build and a game may only pertain to a particular news issue.

The Guardian - Tech

"While the risk versus benefits profile for oestrogen alone is positive for younger women, it's important to note that these data only pertain to the short-term use of hormone therapy," he said.

The Guardian

In between, every permutation is possible, and the same goes for sexual orientation.In some ways men and women are consistently different, but the significant differences in their brains only pertain to those primitive behaviours which include mating, parenting and aggression.

The Economist

The government must get approval to snoop from a FISA court, which is untroubled by niceties such as probable cause, and the communications in question need only pertain to "foreign intelligence information", a phrase so broad as to be utterly meaningless.In extending the FISA Amendments Act, the Senate rejected four sensible amendments.

The Economist

Those limits will only pertain to things in a couples' history, so new items won't be blocked, but older photos and lists will fall off the app.

TechCrunch

Quick note: Atlassian's headquarters are in Sydney, Australia, but the numbers around race only pertain to employees based in the U.S.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"The real value in this database is that it contains a wealth of data that only pertains to the local areas".

The New York Times - Tech

There, the call for a boycott on festivities not only pertains to Losar, but also included the recent Chinese New Year, which many Tibetans in Rebkong celebrated in past years.

The New York Times

Caremark's Mr. Bessant said the rebate, which only pertains to 14 drugs, is incorporated into the discounted prices offered to customers.

The New York Times

Stacey Osburn, a spokeswoman for the N.C.A.A., said, "This decision and the N.C.A.A.'s business relationship with E.A. only pertained to the N.C.A.A. logo and name".

The New York Times - Sports

The Macro only pertained to the prelicensing education course and did not affect the broker exam taken later.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only pertain to" to clearly define the boundaries of a topic or subject, ensuring your audience understands the specific scope being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "only pertain to" when the subject has broader implications or applications beyond the stated scope. Ensure the context truly limits the relevance as described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only pertain to" functions as a qualifier, restricting the scope or applicability of a statement. It clarifies that something is relevant or applicable to a specific subject or context, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only pertain to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to limit the scope of a statement, indicating that something is exclusively relevant to a particular subject or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and effective in clarifying boundaries. It is frequently found in scientific and news media sources, making it suitable for various professional contexts. When writing, ensure you're not overgeneralizing and that the context genuinely restricts the relevance as described. Consider alternatives like "solely apply to" or "exclusively relate to" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively relate to

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the relationship, making it clear that nothing else is involved.

solely apply to

Highlights that the application is limited to a specific subject or situation.

exclusively relevant to

Focuses on the pertinence and applicability to a particular subject, excluding others.

specifically concern

Indicates a direct and particular focus on the subject at hand.

exclusively regard

Highlights that the matter is solely about the subject at hand.

are limited to

Conveys restriction and confinement to a certain area or topic.

uniquely affect

Stresses the distinct and individual impact on the specified target.

are strictly limited to

Reinforces the idea that the scope is tightly controlled and not extensible.

specifically address

Suggests a targeted and intentional approach to a defined issue.

uniquely belong to

Highlights the unique relationship to something and emphasizes its singular association.

FAQs

How can I use "only pertain to" in a sentence?

Use "only pertain to" to specify that something is exclusively relevant or applicable to a particular subject or context. For example, "These rules "only pertain to" employees in the sales department".

What are some alternatives to "only pertain to"?

You can use alternatives like "solely apply to", "exclusively relate to", or "specifically concern" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "only pertains to" instead of "only pertain to"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "only pertains to" with a singular subject (e.g., "This rule "only pertains to" this specific case"). Use "only pertain to" with a plural subject (e.g., "These rules "only pertain to" these situations").

What is the difference between "only pertain to" and "also pertain to"?

"Only pertain to" indicates an exclusive relevance, while "also pertain to" suggests an additional or inclusive relevance. For instance, "These regulations "only pertain to" domestic sales" limits the scope, whereas "These regulations "also pertain to" international sales" expands the scope.