sole custodian

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole custodian" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person or entity that has exclusive responsibility for the care or management of something. Example: "As the sole custodian of the historical archives, she ensured that all documents were preserved and protected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"The comptroller was there in his role as the sole custodian of the fund".

The New York Times

The bank became sole custodian of the other two, Dues and the small Robert U. and Mabel O. Lipscomb Foundation.

The New York Times

In the aftermath of her daughter's death, Claire's marriage collapsed, leaving her the sole custodian of her surviving child, an 8-year-old son.

The New York Times - Books

Google Books is one of the largest digital libraries in the world but, as Robert Darnton has argued, we cannot trust it to be the sole custodian of our digital archives forever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Denman Maroney Denman Maroney is the sole custodian of "hyperpiano," a technique involving the applied friction of assorted objects — horsehair bows, metal bars, plastic doodads — against a piano's strings.

The New York Times - Arts

"Writing workshops to reflect on their life, a sunrise hike where students get up at 4 or 5 o'clock and walk to Mount Skinner and watch the sun rise — is that a religious program?" Deciding to supervise more hikes and less preaching of the Word, Dr. Walters may be tacitly admitting that a school administration is not suited to be the sole custodian of its students' faith.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That is in accordance with the original conceptualization of the EPA as an independent agency acting within the federal government as the sole exclusive custodian of the public's and planet's environmental health.

Huffington Post

It seems to be a fact that we are the sole custodians of the spark in this isolated corner of t e universe, and, in view of our record so far the fact is more ominous than inspiring.

The New Yorker

Britain's two parties of government and sole custodians of the biggest question in British politics—are now level-pegging with barely 65% of the vote between them.Their shrinkage reflects the fortunes of established parties across the Western world.

The Economist

Likewise, by eliminating civil marriage, the state would leave religious institutions as the sole custodians of the word "marriage," effectively privatizing the exclusion of queer people from marriage -- and, likely, excluding other, new groups, such as atheists.

Huffington Post

Are we really the sole human custodians of our planet?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the scope and limitations of the custodianship. This adds clarity and helps avoid misunderstandings about the extent of their responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid implying that a "sole custodian" has unlimited power or control. Clearly define the boundaries of their authority to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole custodian" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an appositive, identifying or describing an individual or entity with exclusive responsibility for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate singular control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole custodian" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for denoting exclusive responsibility or control. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and utility. While not exceptionally frequent, occurring as "uncommon", it's found across various contexts like news, science, and formal business writing, with The New York Times, The Guardian and The Economist being its frequent sources. The phrase works to clearly identify who is exclusively in charge, and clarifying the boundaries of that custodianship is useful when employing it. Related phrases include "exclusive guardian" and "primary caretaker", each offering a subtle shift in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive guardian

Emphasizes the protective aspect of the role, implying a safeguarding responsibility.

primary caretaker

Focuses on the caring and nurturing aspects of the role, often used in the context of children or dependents.

sole possessor

Highlights ownership and control, emphasizing the lack of shared access or authority.

exclusive holder

Similar to "sole possessor" but can apply to intangible assets or positions of authority.

only keeper

Emphasizes the responsibility of maintaining and protecting something.

single authority

Highlights the power and decision-making aspects of the role.

unique trustee

Focuses on the legal and ethical duties of managing something for the benefit of others.

chief controller

Emphasizes the power to manage or regulate something

absolute supervisor

Highlights the oversight and management aspect of the role.

ultimate manager

Focuses on being the final person accountable in the process of taking care of something

FAQs

How can I use "sole custodian" in a sentence?

You can use "sole custodian" to describe someone who has the exclusive responsibility for something, such as "The comptroller was there in his role as the "sole custodian" of the fund" or "Claire's marriage collapsed, leaving her the "sole custodian" of her surviving child".

What phrases are similar to "sole custodian"?

Similar phrases include "exclusive guardian", "primary caretaker", and "only keeper", each with slight differences in emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "sole custodian"?

Yes, "sole custodian" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English to refer to someone with exclusive responsibility.

What is the difference between "sole custodian" and "co-custodian"?

"Sole custodian" implies that one person or entity has complete and exclusive responsibility. "Co-custodian" indicates shared responsibility between two or more parties.