sole happiness

USAGE SUMMARY

'sole happiness' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean 'the only source of happiness' or 'the only thing that can bring happiness.' For example, "My family is my sole happiness in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It requires "a constant preference of public to private interest" (SL 4.5); it "limits ambition to the sole desire, to the sole happiness, of doing greater services to our country than the rest of our fellow citizens" (SL 5.3); and it "is a self-renunciation, which is ever arduous and painful" (SL 4.5).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To Harrison's credit, he does more than play the situation for laughs, finally pointing up the emptiness of erotic engagement as a sole criterion for happiness.

The New York Times - Books

In accord with his belief that atheism was the sole road to happiness and the pleasure of the senses the purpose of life (Le Petit Homme à longue queue, 1751; "The Small Man in a Long Queue"), he was a carefree hedonist to the end, finally dying of ptomaine poisoning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I will not allow the materialist world to become my sole source of happiness and fulfilment Why is it we find Muslims committing these sins and wrongdoings, violating the laws of Allah, using intoxications, going gambling, going to clubs?

Vice

I will not allow the materialist world to become my sole source of happiness and fulfillment Why is it we find Muslims committing these sins and wrongdoings, violating the laws of Allah, using intoxications, going gambling, going to clubs?

Vice

Growing up in a divorced home taught me that marriage will never be my sole source of happiness so it's important to pursue your dreams to the best of your ability".

Huffington Post

Hall got one thing right: if Keaton was indeed a stoic, he was one in the classical Greek sense, of maintaining self-control and discipline as a virtue, of virtue being in inherent harmony with nature, and of virtue being the sole possible source of happiness (that of the character of Steamboat Bill, Jr., if not of Keaton himself).

The New Yorker

Think about it: You are the sole controller of their immediate happiness.

Vice

But to listen to Molly's quintessentially English postwar blues was to be reminded that melancholy meditations on the fragile nature of human happiness are not the sole domain of sensitive young men with guitars.

The Guardian - Music

However plausible such points may be, it is not clear how far they apply to many proposals for happiness-based policy, save the strongest claims that happiness should be the sole aim of policy: many policy decisions are not primarily concerned with questions of social justice, nor with constitutional fundamentals, the focus of some theories of justice.

SEP

Deep down we all know we aren't the sole source of our partner's happiness, but my friend had to realize she wasn't personally the answer.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole happiness", ensure the context clearly establishes what the single source of happiness is to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what brings you happiness, such as "My family is my sole happiness in life."

Common error

Avoid claiming something is your "sole happiness" if other factors also contribute significantly to your well-being. Acknowledge other sources of joy to maintain credibility and relatability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole happiness" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sole" modifies the noun "happiness", emphasizing its uniqueness as a source of joy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, meaning 'the only source of happiness'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole happiness" is used to describe something as being the only source of happiness or fulfillment. While grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig AI marks it as a valid expression, its usage is rare. It's important to ensure that the context clearly identifies the single source of happiness to avoid any ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "unique happiness" or "primary source of happiness" can also be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unique happiness

Replaces "sole" with "unique" to emphasize the singularity and distinctiveness of the happiness source.

only happiness

Uses "only" instead of "sole" for a more direct synonym indicating exclusivity.

exclusive happiness

Replaces "sole" with "exclusive" to highlight that happiness comes from only one source.

singular happiness

Uses "singular" to convey the idea of happiness originating from one particular source.

primary source of happiness

More explicitly states that something is the main origin of happiness, rather than the only one.

chief happiness

Uses "chief" to denote the most important or principal source of happiness.

main happiness

Replaces "sole" with "main" for a more common but less emphatic expression of primary importance.

utmost happiness

Focuses on the intensity of happiness, rather than the exclusiveness of its origin.

pure happiness

Emphasizes the unadulterated and genuine nature of happiness, rather than its singularity.

unadulterated happiness

Highlights the purity and genuineness of happiness, diverging from the source's exclusivity.

FAQs

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

Use "sole happiness" to indicate that something is the only source of your happiness. For example, you might say, "My children are my sole happiness" or "Achieving my goals is my "sole happiness" in life."

What is a good substitute for "sole happiness"?

Alternatives to "sole happiness" include "unique happiness", "only happiness", or "primary source of happiness". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and meaning you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "sole happiness"?

Yes, "sole happiness" is grammatically correct. "Sole" is an adjective meaning 'only' or 'single', and it modifies the noun "happiness" to indicate the unique source of joy.

What's the difference between "sole happiness" and "sheer happiness"?

"Sole happiness" refers to the one and only source of happiness. In contrast, "sheer happiness" refers to the intensity or purity of the feeling of happiness, not its source.