sole fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is the only fact or piece of information relevant to a particular situation or argument. Example: "The sole fact that he was present at the scene does not prove his guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Court's determination is rested on the sole fact that the same judge first cited petitioners for contempt committed in his presence, and then presided over the proceedings leading to the final adjudication.

Cornell University

We must make special mention, of course, of "subsidised" works, which shall, through the sole fact that their origin is, in part, free of the market, be rendered null and void.

The Guardian

"It's popular because of the sole fact that people are not accustomed to someone in such a special position in the community being made light of," the film's director, Kamal Tabrizi, told the Guardian.

The Guardian

There is danger in buying your own hype, of listening exclusively to the people who think you can do no wrong because you're you: your right-ness becomes tautological, based on the sole fact of your existence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Trapped in a binary west v Muslim worldview, some of them have tragically failed to recognise that a newspaper such as Charlie Hebdo, which was standing with Palestine, for ethnic minorities, for equal rights and justice, was on their side – a precious ally: the sole fact that Charlie Hebdo had poked fun at their faith was enough to make its journalists worthy of death.

The Guardian - Opinion

The judge took pains Monday to explain that his comment "was a statement made early in litigation" amid concern over the video's effect on prospective jurors and that now that he is the sole fact finder as well as jurist, he had not prejudged the evidence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For many of the dem onstrators coming into the city, this is the sole pertinent fact.

The New York Times

It's a small side-prediction they've popped in glibly, but that one line illustrates the sole essential fact of the 21st century.

Vice

It used to be that the referee was the sole judge of fact but the wording in the regulations now reads: the referee is the sole judge of fact and law during a match.

The Guardian - Sport

"The sole trier of fact," Justice Kennedy wrote of Chief Justice Benjamin, was "the one accused of bias".

The New York Times

Augustus was anxious to preserve the traditions of the republic and its constitutional forms, but he was in fact sole ruler of the Roman world.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sole fact" to emphasize that only one particular piece of information is relevant or crucial in a given situation. It adds a sense of exclusivity and importance to the fact being presented.

Common error

Avoid using "sole fact" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Opt for synonyms like "only fact" or "single reason" to maintain variety and reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole fact" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a verb or clause, providing a specific reason or justification. It emphasizes that a particular piece of information is the only determining factor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole fact" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a noun phrase emphasizing the exclusivity of a particular reason or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms that it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While effective for emphasizing a point, it's important to use the phrase judiciously and consider synonyms like "only fact" or "single fact" to avoid redundancy. Its strength lies in its ability to single out a unique, essential, and very important information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only fact

Replaces "sole" with "only", emphasizing exclusivity with a slightly more common term.

single fact

Substitutes "sole" with "single", highlighting the singular nature of the fact.

one and only fact

Adds emphasis by stating there is only one fact and no others.

the only consideration

Shifts focus from a fact to a consideration, implying that this is the only important aspect.

the decisive factor

Replaces "fact" with "factor", emphasizing the determining role of this element.

the key reason

Replaces "fact" with "reason", highlighting the importance of it being a rationale.

the primary cause

Substitutes "fact" with "cause", framing the phrase in terms of causation.

the main point

Replaces "fact" with "point", focusing on the central idea or argument.

the crucial element

Replaces "fact" with "element", highlighting that it is vital to everything else.

the fundamental truth

Elevates the "fact" to a "truth", emphasizing its underlying and indisputable nature.

FAQs

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

The phrase "sole fact" emphasizes that a particular piece of information is the only relevant or important consideration. For example, "The jury's decision rested on the "sole fact" that the defendant had no alibi."

What can I say instead of "sole fact"?

You can use alternatives like "only fact", "single fact", or "decisive factor" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "sole fact" or "only fact"?

Both "sole fact" and "only fact" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Sole fact" might be considered slightly more formal or emphatic, while "only fact" is more common in everyday language.

What is the difference between "sole fact" and "main reason"?

While both phrases indicate importance, ""sole fact"" emphasizes that a specific piece of information is exclusively relevant, whereas "main reason" suggests it's the primary but potentially not the only reason.