only thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only thing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize that something is the sole or most important item or aspect in a given context. Example: "The only thing I want is to be happy." Alternative expressions include "the sole thing" and "the one thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the only thing.

The New York Times

That's the only thing.

The New Yorker

It's the only thing"..

The New Yorker

The only thing there….

The New Yorker

Only thing is the food.

The New Yorker

They're the only thing left!

The New Yorker

That was the only thing".

The New York Times

Winning is the only thing?

The New York Times

It's the only thing.

The Guardian - Music

"Only thing that can't be taught".

Independent

The only thing missing is the championship.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only thing" to clearly emphasize a single, crucial point or aspect, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "only thing", as this can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, try rephrasing with more varied sentence structures to improve clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only thing" functions primarily as a determiner phrase emphasizing a single, crucial element or aspect. Ludwig AI shows that it often introduces a clause that specifies what is exclusively important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only thing" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize a single, crucial point or aspect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in news and media. While versatile, avoid overuse and strive for sentence variety. The phrase functions primarily as a determiner phrase, and its register is generally neutral to informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary concern

Shifts the focus to the most important issue, substituting 'thing' with 'concern'.

paramount issue

Highlights the supreme or outstanding importance by using "paramount issue" instead of "only thing".

sole aspect

Replaces 'thing' with 'aspect', focusing on a particular feature or element that is the only one.

exclusive factor

Highlights the exclusiveness of a consideration by using 'exclusive factor' instead of 'only thing'.

chief aspect

Replaces "only thing" with "chief aspect" to give prominence or notability to something.

single item

Substitutes 'thing' with 'item', highlighting a lone object or element.

one consideration

Focuses on a solitary aspect, replacing 'thing' with 'consideration'.

unique element

Uses 'unique element' instead of 'only thing' to denote something that is one of a kind.

just matter

Replaces 'thing' with 'matter' emphasizing a specific point or issue that is the only one of concern.

merely element

Emphasizes the limited or minimal nature of something by using 'merely element' instead of 'only thing'.

FAQs

How can I use "only thing" in a sentence?

Use "only thing" to emphasize a singular aspect or element that is important. For example, "The "only thing" I want is to be happy".

What phrases are similar to "only thing"?

Similar phrases include "sole aspect", "single item", and "primary concern", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the only thing that matters" or "the main thing that matters"?

While both are acceptable, "the "only thing that matters"" emphasizes exclusivity, suggesting nothing else is important. "The main thing that matters" indicates importance but allows for other considerations.

When should I avoid using "only thing" in my writing?

Avoid overusing "only thing" in close succession, as it can make your writing repetitive. Opt for synonyms or rephrase sentences to maintain variety and reader engagement.