only yours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only yours" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express exclusivity or deep affection towards someone. Example: "This letter is only yours." Alternative expressions include "just for you," "exclusively yours," and "solely yours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

It makes you happy and healthy "I firmly believe that fitness should be about your needs and only yours.

Huffington Post

I close by suggesting that if you, the reader, have ever used the phrase "The Bible says," that you examine your personal hermeneutic, because it's usually not the case that your opinions are only yours because "The Bible tells me so," it's because you have an opinion that you use the Bible to justify.

Huffington Post

It's your body, and only yours.

WikiHow

Your body is yours and only yours.

WikiHow

Your iTunes music, for example, is only yours on licence and can't be transferred to anyone else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(For twenty-five hundred dollars, you can rent Lady Mary's "star tiara," all forty-five carats of it, for your own special occasion, though it's only yours for a day).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Showing someone you love them enriches not only their life but yours too.

WikiHow

Your book Only Ever Yours explores a society wherein women are raised only for the pleasure of men.

The Guardian

Having a traditional wedding and having a wedding that could only be yours are not mutually exclusive -- so let your imagination run wild.

Huffington Post

(That $100 - about 96 Australian dollars - only covers yours truly).

The New York Times

Only Ever Yours is similar to The Jewel by Amy Ewing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only yours" to emphasize a sense of exclusivity, privacy, or special connection. For example, "This secret is only yours to keep."

Common error

While "only yours" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral tone might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "exclusively for you" or "solely for you" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only yours" functions primarily as a possessive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied) to indicate that something belongs exclusively to the person being addressed. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only yours" is a common and grammatically correct way to express exclusivity and possession. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is versatile, appearing frequently in news, media and wiki sources, but is suitable for informal to neutral contexts. When writing in more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "exclusively yours" or "solely yours" to maintain a professional tone. Remember that while "only yours" is generally appropriate, overuse in formal contexts can detract from a professional tone. Use it to indicate that something is uniquely associated with or belongs solely to the person being addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

purely yours

Emphasizes the unmixed and complete nature of ownership or belonging.

exclusively yours

Highlights the unique and singular aspect of possession, implying no others share it.

just yours

Simplifies the concept to a basic indication of belonging solely to the individual addressed.

solely yours

Underscores that something belongs to no one else but the person addressed.

entirely yours

Stresses the completeness of ownership or belonging, leaving no part shared.

completely yours

Similar to 'entirely yours', emphasizing the full extent of ownership.

uniquely yours

Highlights that something is not just owned by the person but also characteristic of them.

specially yours

Indicates that something is intended or reserved particularly for that individual.

personally yours

Focuses on the direct and individual connection to the person addressed.

especially for you

Shifts the focus to the intention behind the exclusivity, indicating it was made or reserved with them in mind.

FAQs

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

You can use "only yours" to indicate that something belongs solely to a person or is meant exclusively for them. For example, "This decision is "only yours" to make" or "This memory is "only yours"."

What phrases are similar to "only yours"?

Similar phrases include "exclusively yours", "solely yours", "purely yours", or "just for you". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "only yours" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "only yours" might sound too personal for very formal contexts. Consider more neutral alternatives like "exclusively for you" or "solely under your responsibility" in formal documents.

What's the difference between "only yours" and "yours only"?

"Only yours" emphasizes the exclusivity or uniqueness of something belonging to you. "Yours only" is less common and might sound slightly awkward or archaic; "only yours" is generally preferred.