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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
single reference only
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "single reference only" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify that only one source or citation should be considered or used in a particular context. Example: "For this research paper, please ensure that you include a single reference only to support your argument."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
To avoid inclusion of duplicate interactions from a single reference, only binary interactions were retained in the data set.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
As can be seen in Figure 2a, compared with using single reference hg19 only during mapping, sample SRR360148, whose DRB1 alleles are *01 01 and *15:01, was more effectively mapped by a reference panel with multiple alleles corresponding to the eight haplotypes in hg38, namely APD, COX, DDB, MANN, MCF, QBL, SSTO, and PGF (the allele for hg19).
Science
A disadvantage of the comparative genomic analyses presented here, is that the comparison of gene content is based on a single reference strain (V583), only.
Science
Typically, only a single "reference" map is available, but we can imagine that a collection of other, slightly different, maps could be drawn to represent a particular species' habitat.
Science
The Guardian revealed in March that draft guidelines for children in key stages 1-3 had removed discussion of climate change in the geography syllabus, with only a single reference to how carbon dioxide produced by humans affects the climate in the chemistry section.
News & Media
The Guardian revealed on Monday that new draft guidelines for children in key stages 1 to 3 make no mention of it in the geography syllabus, with only a single reference to how carbon dioxide produced by humans affects the climate in the chemistry section.
News & Media
In fact, searching the archives of the journal Pediatrics, I found only a single reference to sleepovers, one that will make perfect sense to all those parents who distrust "strangers": the academy recommends that after a sleepover, you check your child for head lice.
News & Media
While being aware of the great influence of the solar irradiation on the power plant performance, only one single reference meteorological year has been used as solar input data.
Science
With an average AUC of 0.68, IFP similarity scoring exhibits an overall performance comparable to ChemPLP, although the ranking is merely based on the Tanimoto coefficient of the comparison to only one single reference complex per protein.
Science
Although yesterday's speech made only a single reference to chip and PIN, the technology is arguably the most crucial element in reforming the country's data security policies and practices.
News & Media
Most frequently only a single reference gene is used for data normalization.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using the phrase "single reference only", ensure it's followed by a clear indication of what that single reference is or why it's the only one being considered to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid constructing arguments or analyses based solely on a "single reference only", especially in academic or scientific writing. Always corroborate information with multiple sources to ensure validity and provide a balanced perspective.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "single reference only" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that there is just one reference and no more. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a clear and usable English phrase.
Frequent in
Science
55%
News & Media
25%
Wiki
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Academia
3%
Encyclopedias
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "single reference only" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, primarily employed to emphasize that only one source or citation is being considered. While its occurrence is relatively rare, it is most frequently found within scientific, news, and media contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig, this phrase serves to limit and precisely define the scope of references in various writings. When employing "single reference only", ensure clarity in specifying the reference and consider the potential limitations of relying solely on one source.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
sole reference only
Replaces "single" with "sole" for emphasis on the exclusivity of the reference.
one reference exclusively
Rephrases to highlight that the reference is used to the exclusion of others.
just one reference
Simplifies the phrase using "just" for emphasis on the singular nature.
only one citation
Substitutes "reference" with "citation", another term for source.
a single citation alone
Adds "alone" to reinforce the concept of a solitary citation.
one source exclusively
Uses "source" instead of "reference" for broader applicability.
a solitary reference
Replaces "single" with "solitary" to emphasize the isolated nature.
just a single reference
Adds "just a" for a more conversational tone.
exclusively one reference
Inverts the order and uses "exclusively" for stronger emphasis.
one and only reference
Adds "and only" to emphasize the uniqueness and exclusivity.
FAQs
How can I use "single reference only" in a sentence?
You might say, "For this section of the report, include a "single reference only" to keep it concise" or "The conclusion relies on a "single reference only", as it's the seminal work in the field."
What does "single reference only" mean?
It means that only one source or citation is being used or considered, to the exclusion of others. It emphasizes the exclusivity and limited scope of the reference material.
What can I say instead of "single reference only"?
You can use alternatives like "sole reference only", "just one reference", or "one reference exclusively" to express the same idea.
In what context is "single reference only" typically used?
It's often used in academic writing, scientific research, or technical documentation to specify constraints on the number of sources to cite. It can also appear in news or media when highlighting a unique or isolated mention of something.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested