practically the sole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "practically the sole" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly the only one of its kind or that it has a dominant presence in a particular context. Example: "In this region, he is practically the sole provider of organic produce, making him a key player in the local market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Life" magazine is practically the sole promoter of war paintings.

The New Yorker

Lillian was to be played by Celeste Holm, who was practically the sole surviving cast member of "All About Eve".

The New Yorker

With the tariffs on aluminum and steel that the President announced last week being practically the sole exception, the Trump Administration has governed in accordance with G.O.P. orthodoxy.

The New Yorker

Most of these manuscripts are of French or Flemish origin, but they furnish reliable evidence on English interiors because the governing classes, who were practically the sole possessors of proper furniture, copied the domestic habits of the Continent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the Ottoman-ruled areas of Greece the folk song, which concisely and unsentimentally conveyed the aspirations of the Greek people of the time, became practically the sole form of literary expression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reproduced (in a slightly altered version) by the French Government in the form of a ministerial circular, Caquot's contribution became practically the sole means of tackling storm drainage problems in France from 1950 to 1980.

Water Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

practically the North's sole trade partner, is extorting them for its own goods while underpaying for the DPRK's.

Vice

The UN has pulled the plug on food aid and China is practically the North's sole trade partner, extorting them for its own goods while underpaying for the DPRK's.

Vice

Not sorta wore out… the soles practically dissolved.

TechCrunch

The United States stumbled onto the world stage a full-blown colossus, turning overnight from the world's largest debtor nation to practically its sole creditor.

The New York Times - Books

Practically every facet in a student's college experience can be traced back to the sole ideal of accountability.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically the sole" when you want to emphasize that something is nearly the only one of its kind in a particular context, but without claiming absolute exclusivity. This allows for a slight margin of error or the possibility of unknown exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "practically the sole" when something is definitively and absolutely the only one. In such cases, "the sole" is more appropriate. "Practically" implies a slight degree of approximation or potential exception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically the sole" functions as an intensifier, modifying a noun to emphasize its near-uniqueness or dominant position. As Ludwig indicates, it suggests something is almost entirely the only one of its kind, without being definitively so. This is supported by examples where it describes the primary means or source in a given context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

33%

Less common in

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "practically the sole" is a phrase used to emphasize that something is nearly unique or dominant in a specific context, as Ludwig's analysis suggests. The phrase, while grammatically correct, isn't very common, being found primarily in news, scientific and encyclopedia sources. It serves to highlight significance and near-exclusivity, indicating a lack of alternatives. Be careful not to use it when absolute exclusivity is meant as it softens the meaning. Alternatives like "virtually the only" or "almost the only" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually the only

Replaces "practically" with "virtually", emphasizing the near-exclusivity.

almost the only

Substitutes "practically" with "almost", providing a slightly less formal tone.

essentially the only

Replaces "practically" with "essentially", highlighting the fundamental uniqueness.

in effect, the only

Adds "in effect" to emphasize the practical reality of being the only one.

for all intents and purposes, the only

Uses a longer phrase to express the idea that something is the only option in practical terms.

the single

More concise, focusing on the 'single' nature, omitting the 'practically'.

the exclusive

Highlights the exclusivity, implying that something is the only one allowed or available.

virtually unique

Shifts focus to the uniqueness, omitting the direct indication of being the only one.

the predominant

Emphasizes the dominance or prevalence instead of exclusivity.

almost exclusively

Focuses on the almost exclusive nature, implying rarity.

FAQs

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

Use "practically the sole" to indicate that something is almost, but not quite, the only one. For example, "In that remote village, the local store was practically the sole source of supplies".

What phrases are similar to "practically the sole"?

Alternatives include "virtually the only", "almost the only", or "essentially the only", each conveying a similar sense of near-exclusivity.

Is it better to use "practically the sole" or "the sole"?

"The sole" indicates absolute exclusivity, while "practically the sole" suggests near exclusivity with a small possibility of exception. Choose based on the accuracy of the statement.

What's the difference between "practically the sole" and "one of the few"?

"Practically the sole" implies something is almost unique, whereas "one of the few" suggests there are a small number of similar items, but not necessarily a dominant one. The former emphasizes near exclusivity, the latter emphasizes scarcity.