sole nourishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole nourishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the only source of sustenance or support for someone or something. Example: "For the first few months of life, breast milk serves as the sole nourishment for infants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Eggs and milk are his sole nourishment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is difficult for the 80 year old senator whose sole intellectual nourishment is a Roy Rogers cowboy film Saturday afternoons, to properly work out this monumental task.

The New Yorker

The program is the sole source of nourishment for three million Afghans, about 15percentt of the population.

The New York Times

Fergus soon realizes he is caught in a living nightmare, what happens when you discover one evening that your sole source of nourishment has vanished, the sort of catastrophe that is barely comprehensible to us in the West today.

The New York Times - Books

Juice is only for patient's nourishment.

Huffington Post

And New Orleans needed nourishment.

The New York Times

NOURISHMENT My boyfriend makes smoothies.

The New York Times

A lack of nourishment artistically?

The New York Times - Arts

"Spiritual nourishment for the body, spiritual nourishment for the soul.

The New York Times - Magazine

And sole.

The New York Times

All found nourishment in it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sole nourishment" when you want to emphasize that something is the only thing providing sustenance, whether physical or metaphorical. It adds a sense of exclusivity and dependence.

Common error

Avoid using "sole nourishment" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or dramatic. Opt for simpler terms like "only food" or "main source of sustenance" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole nourishment" functions as a noun phrase, where "sole" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "nourishment". It typically specifies something as being the only source of sustenance, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole nourishment" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something as the only source of sustenance or support. While Ludwig AI considers it correct, it's relatively rare in usage, primarily appearing in news and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when you want to emphasize exclusivity, but be mindful of overly formal tones in casual contexts. Alternatives include "only sustenance" or "exclusive source of nutrition".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only sustenance

Replaces "nourishment" with "sustenance" emphasizing basic survival needs.

exclusive source of nutrition

More formal, replaces "sole" with "exclusive" and "nourishment" with "nutrition".

primary source of sustenance

Focuses on "primary" importance instead of exclusivity.

main source of nutrition

Similar to "primary", highlighting the most important nutritional source.

only food source

Simplifies "nourishment" to "food source".

exclusive dietary intake

A more clinical and formal alternative, suitable for technical contexts.

sole means of sustenance

Replaces "nourishment" with "means of sustenance", broadening the concept slightly.

single source of nutrition

Uses "single" instead of "sole", offering a slightly different nuance.

basic sustenance

Focuses on the basic need for survival, simplifying the original phrase.

fundamental nourishment

Highlights the essential nature of the nourishment.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole nourishment" to describe something that is the only source of sustenance. For example: "For the first few months of life, breast milk serves as the "sole nourishment" for infants."

What phrases are similar to "sole nourishment"?

Alternatives include "only sustenance", "exclusive source of nutrition", or "primary source of sustenance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sole nourishment" in formal writing?

Yes, "sole nourishment" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the exclusivity of a particular source of sustenance or support. However, assess your audience and context, as sometimes simpler terms might be more effective.

What is the difference between "sole nourishment" and "primary nourishment"?

"Sole nourishment" indicates that something is the only source of sustenance. "Primary nourishment" implies it's the main source, but other sources may exist. For instance, if someone's diet consists solely of protein shakes, then those shakes are their "sole nourishment". If they eat a varied diet, but rely mostly on protein shakes, then that is their "primary nourishment".