only those that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only those that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that only certain people or things in a group qualify for the stated condition. For example: "Only those that have applied for the training program will be considered for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or only those that subscribe to focus groups?

The New York Times - Food

Take only those that are already broken in.

The New York Times - Travel

So were some taxis, but only those that could find enough gas to keep driving.

The New York Times

Only those that help us be our true selves are granted access to our time.

The Guardian

Delete every adjective and adverb from your story and reinsert only those that appear essential.

The Guardian - Books

"Only those that really needed to raise money did so, often damaging returns," the report said.

The New York Times

They do not, he said, kill all bacteria, only those that are most susceptible.

The New York Times - Health

I have seen only those that are plied in various ways in the tourist trade.

The New York Times

Eventually, only those that were deemed important were passed up to his father.

The Economist

Privately run insurance pools sometimes accept only those that have had lower medical expenses.

The New York Times

Only those that are "essentially the same".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only those that", ensure the qualifying clause is clear and directly relevant to the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Only those that have completed the prerequisite course may enroll."

Common error

Avoid placing the phrase "only those that" too far from the noun it modifies. This can create confusion about what exactly is being restricted. For example, instead of "Participants will be accepted only those that meet the criteria", write "Only those participants that meet the criteria will be accepted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only those that" functions as a restrictive modifier, limiting the scope of a statement to a specific subset of items or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes that a condition applies solely to a defined group. Examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from defining acceptable criteria to indicating selection processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "only those that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase serving as a restrictive modifier. It's versatile across various contexts, especially science, news, and formal settings, with a neutral tone. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage for specifying criteria and limiting inclusion. When employing this phrase, ensure the qualifying clause is clear and closely linked to the modified noun to prevent ambiguity. Consider more formal alternatives like "solely those which" for elevated language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely those which

Replaces "that" with "which", providing a slightly more formal tone. This change affects word choice but maintains the original meaning.

exclusively those that

Substitutes "only" with "exclusively", emphasizing the exclusivity of the selection. This changes the intensity of the restriction.

specifically those that

Replaces "only" with "specifically", highlighting the particularity of the selected items or individuals.

precisely those that

Emphasizes exactness and accuracy in specifying the selected group, modifying the emphasis.

just the ones that

Replaces "only those" with a more casual "just the ones", resulting in a less formal expression.

merely those that

Substitutes "only" with "merely", downplaying the significance or number of those included.

particularly those that

Highlights the distinctiveness of the chosen items or individuals, shifting the focus to their unique qualities.

simply those that

Replaces "only" with "simply", conveying a sense of ease or lack of complexity in the selection.

uniquely those that

Emphasizes the singular nature of the selected entities, adding a sense of uniqueness.

especially those that

Highlights a preference or special consideration for those included, changing the connotation to one of favor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "only those that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "solely those which" or "exclusively those that". These options elevate the language while maintaining the meaning.

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "only those"?

While grammatically correct, the inclusion of "that" isn't always mandatory. Depending on context, "only those who" or "only those which" may also be appropriate. Choose the phrasing that best fits the intended meaning and grammatical structure.

What's the difference between "only those that" and "all those that"?

"Only those that" restricts the selection to a specific subset meeting certain criteria, whereas "all those that" includes every item or individual that meets the criteria, with no exclusions. The former is restrictive, the latter inclusive.

How to avoid ambiguity when using "only those that"?

Ensure the clause following "only those that" is precise and immediately follows the noun it modifies. For example, instead of "Applications will be processed only those that are complete", write "Only those applications that are complete will be processed".