possibly the sole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly the sole" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something may be the only one of its kind or the only option available in a particular context. Example: "This artifact is possibly the sole remaining example of its kind from that era."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The most — possibly the sole — democratic element of race in this country lies in this ecumenical approach to blackness.

The New Yorker

Possibly the sole point of overlap between them is that Wohead recently turned 33, the same age Elvis was when he made the Comeback Special.

The Guardian

We conclude that αTAT1 is the major and possibly the sole α-tubulin K40 acetyltransferase in mammals and nematodes, and that tubulin acetylation plays a conserved role in several microtubule-based processes.

Stanford University

As an undergraduate and a young barrister, Thorpe organised trips by what were known as university commandos to the West Country, then possibly the sole potential growth area for the Liberal party.

The Guardian

The standout, and possibly the sole taco of its kind in New York City, is the migas taco — fried strips of corn tortilla scrambled with egg, tomato, jalapeño and Cheddar.

The New York Times

Wyoming, possibly the sole state so sparsely populated that it has only the single area code.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It has been hypothesized that reduction of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1 constitutes the major, possibly even the sole, driver of cell death.

Cell Death and Disease

Some studies (Hoang-Xuan et al, 2004; Ricard et al, 2007) have suggested that chemotherapy may affect tumour burden without causing overt morphological modifications that can be visualised by MRI, possibly by affecting the sole infiltrative part of the glioma.

British Journal of Cancer

In Oryx and Crake (2003), Atwood described a plague-induced apocalypse in the near future through the observations and flashbacks of a protagonist who is possibly the event's sole survivor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although these results demonstrate that NRC-03 targets mitochondria, it is unlikely that the release of superoxide and possibly other ROS are the sole mediators of cytotoxicity.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Poor wolf never stood a chance; vampires aren't just hot (and sometimes scorching, as on the HBO show "True Blood"), they have, in recent years, also become the favorite go-to romantic male lead, the last, possibly sole defense against the nice-guy tide embodied by the Apatowesque freaks and geeks and their bromantic brethren.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possibly the sole", ensure that the context provides sufficient information to support the claim of near exclusivity, even if it's presented as a possibility. Overuse can weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "possibly the sole" when there's clear evidence of multiple instances or options. Using it loosely diminishes the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly the sole" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun to express that something is likely unique, while acknowledging a small chance it may not be. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibly the sole" is a grammatically sound phrase used to suggest something is likely the only instance or option, while admitting a slight possibility of others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, with its presence across news, science, and academia suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "potentially the only" or "maybe the only" exist, understanding the specific nuance is important to convey the intended meaning effectively. Use "possibly the sole" thoughtfully to maintain credibility and avoid overstating certainty. It's a useful tool for suggesting near-exclusivity while acknowledging a possibility, however small, of alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially the only

Replaces "possibly" with "potentially", which has a very similar meaning, slightly adjusting the emphasis on likelihood.

maybe the only

Uses "maybe" instead of "possibly", offering a slightly more informal tone while keeping the core meaning intact.

conceivably the only

Substitutes "possibly" with "conceivably", suggesting something is within the realm of possibility but not necessarily probable.

possibly the unique

Replaces "sole" with "unique", emphasizing distinctiveness rather than exclusivity.

feasibly the only

Substitutes "possibly" with "feasibly", indicating that something is realistically the only option or instance.

perhaps the exclusive

Replaces "possibly the sole" with "perhaps the exclusive", changing the wording while retaining the sense of uniqueness or limited availability.

arguably the sole

Adds a degree of debate or opinion by using "arguably", suggesting that while it's contestable, there's a case to be made for it being the sole.

seemingly the sole

Implies an appearance of being the only one, without necessarily confirming its absolute exclusivity.

ostensibly the sole

Suggests that something appears to be the only one, possibly masking a different reality.

putatively the sole

Indicates that something is believed to be the only one, but the claim might be unproven or questionable.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly the sole" in a sentence?

Use "possibly the sole" to indicate that something is likely the only instance or option, acknowledging a slight chance of other possibilities. For example, "This artifact is "possibly the sole" remaining example of its kind from that era".

What words can I use instead of "possibly the sole"?

You can use alternatives like "potentially the only", "conceivably the only", or "perhaps the exclusive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "possibly the sole" or "the possibly sole"?

"Possibly the sole" is the correct phrasing. Placing "possibly" before "the" correctly modifies the entire phrase, indicating the possibility that something is the only one.

What's the difference between "possibly the sole" and "the only"?

"The only" asserts definitively that something is unique, while "possibly the sole" suggests uniqueness with a degree of uncertainty. "Possibly the sole" acknowledges there might be another instance, however unlikely.