simply one thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply one thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that there is only one specific item or concept being referred to, often in a context where multiple options might exist. Example: "When it comes to success, there is simply one thing you need to focus on: hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Because the truth is, identity is never simply one thing.

The Guardian

The program of little bits and pieces became simply one thing after another.

The New York Times - Arts

The voices in the poems show that nobody is simply one thing, and there's freedom in that for a young writer wanting to meet people, including himself.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whatever it is that you want to create, you need to simply do one thing; Just create.

Huffington Post

Left to itself with marbles of a given size, a funnel will simply do one thing: it has only one operating state, and the stochastic variability is only around that one state.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The way to master more things in the long-run is to simply focus on one thing right now.

Huffington Post

I think we knew deep down, that this was simply one more thing that set us apart from everyone else.

The Guardian

"This is important and has more chance of success than simply doing one thing," he said by email.

The Guardian

I wrote a long way into the book very aware that a difficulty was looming, as it does with any linear narrative of a life that simply takes one thing after another.

The New Yorker

So, it may be that this convention speech simply confirms one thing: this is going to be an election fought over 30-second negative television adverts, not over differing visions for the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was a well-funded conservative effort to target the President, but, in this instance, the charge feels too close to Moore's assertion that liberals simply believe one thing, and conservatives another.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase to streamline complex issues to their core component in your arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "simply one thing" to oversimplify complex problems or arguments; ensure nuance is maintained where necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply one thing" functions as an intensifier and quantifier, emphasizing the singularity and importance of a specific item or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "simply one thing" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing a singular, crucial aspect in a variety of contexts. Ludwig AI validates that it is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse sources like News & Media and Science, indicating broad applicability. When writing, use "simply one thing" to highlight essential points. Be mindful of potentially oversimplifying complex issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just one thing

Replaces "simply" with "just" for a more direct emphasis on a single item.

merely one thing

Substitutes "simply" with "merely" to highlight the insignificance of the single item.

only one thing

Emphasizes that there is exclusively one item and nothing else.

solely one thing

Uses "solely" to stress that something is exclusively limited to one aspect.

purely one thing

Replaces "simply" with "purely" to focus on the unmixed or unadulterated nature of the single item.

fundamentally one thing

Highlights that something boils down to one essential element.

essentially one thing

Similar to "fundamentally", but emphasizes inherent nature.

basically one thing

Indicates the core element or aspect is singular.

principally one thing

Focuses on the primary or main aspect being singular.

largely one thing

Suggests that the most significant part is singular.

FAQs

How can I use "simply one thing" in a sentence?

You can use "simply one thing" to emphasize a single, key aspect of a situation. For example, "Success in this project depends on "simply one thing": consistent effort."

What are some alternatives to "simply one thing"?

Some alternatives include "just one thing", "merely one thing", or "only one thing" depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "simply one thing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It follows standard English syntax and is used to emphasize a singular aspect or item.

In what contexts is "simply one thing" most appropriately used?

It is most appropriately used in contexts where you want to highlight a single, essential factor or element among many possibilities, often in discussions or explanations to streamline understanding.