second only to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'second only to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to emphasize the fact that the person or thing described is not just in second place but is only very narrowly behind the person or thing in first place. For example: "Their team was second only to the national champions in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Second only to Canada.

The New Yorker

He is second only to Marouane Fellaini.

Independent

That is second only to Bin Laden.

The New York Times

Second only to John Knox (c.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was second only to exports.

The Guardian - Business

"Second only to Anheuser-Busch.

The New York Times

That made it second only to football.

The New York Times - Sports

Second only to Shakespeare he rated Dickens.

The Guardian

Its productivity is second only to London's.

The Guardian - Opinion

American buyers were second only to Australians.

The New Yorker

That is second only to Denmark (48.6%).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "second only to" to emphasize a close margin between the top entity and the one being described. This highlights that the entity is not just second, but nearly the best.

Common error

Avoid using "second only to" if the difference between the two entities being compared is significant. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing a minimal gap in quality or achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second only to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something is in the second position in terms of a particular quality or characteristic, implying that it is very close to being the best. Ludwig shows many examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "second only to" is a comparative adjective phrase used to emphasize that something or someone is a very close second, nearly the best in a particular category. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "second only to" to highlight a close margin between the top entity and the one being described, but avoid using it if the difference between the two is significant. Alternatives include phrases such as "next in line after" and "a close second to". The phrase is versatile and appropriate for formal and general use, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a close second to

Highlights the narrow margin between the first and second positions, adding emphasis on the closeness.

second-best to

Straightforwardly states that something is the second-best option, simplifying the comparative aspect.

next in line after

Emphasizes sequential order and proximity to the top position, replacing "second" with "next in line".

trails only

Implies following or being behind, but only to a single entity.

runner-up to

Specifically denotes the position of finishing in second place, commonly used in competitive contexts.

exceeded only by

Focuses on the act of surpassing or outdoing, showing that only one other entity has done better.

outranked only by

Denotes a ranking where all others are below except for one, often used in organizational or military contexts.

subordinate only to

Indicates a hierarchical relationship where something is lower in rank or importance to only one other thing.

inferior only to

Similar to subordinate but emphasizes a difference in quality or status, being lower than only one other.

matches all but one

Highlights that something is equivalent in all aspects except for a single comparison point.

FAQs

How can I use "second only to" in a sentence?

Use "second only to" when you want to emphasize that something is very close to being the best. For example, "In terms of biodiversity, the Mekong River is "second only to" the Amazon."

What's a synonym for "second only to"?

Alternatives to "second only to" include phrases like "next in line after", "a close second to", or "runner-up to", which also indicate a close ranking or comparison.

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

Yes, "second only to" is appropriate for formal writing. It's frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports to highlight a close second position in a ranking or comparison.

What is the difference between "second only to" and "second to"?

"Second only to" emphasizes that the difference between the first and second is minimal or that the second is almost as good as the first. "Second to" simply indicates that something is in the second position without necessarily implying closeness.