sole option

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole option" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is only one choice or alternative available in a given situation. Example: "After considering all possibilities, we realized that the sole option left was to proceed with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Both strikers have succumbed to injuries early on, leaving the combative Éder as his sole option.

The Guardian - Sport

Today, he said, a low-carbon future is the sole option for prosperity.

The Guardian

VENTURE CAPITAL NOT THE SOLE OPTION Financing a social venture can be even more challenging than financing a traditional business.

The New York Times

Getting to South Uist today isn't as hard as it was in 1891, when the sole option was a slow, unreliable steamer, but it still requires determination.

The New Yorker

At $20,338, the 2.5 S was the least-expensive test car, its sole option being a $799 air bag package (which included antilock brakes).

The New York Times

(The sole option remaining in the federal system is the Supreme Court; when I asked Hennis's civilian lawyer, Eric Allen, where he was taking the case next, he replied, "To Washington").

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I dug out the menu: bloody hell, yes, the lobster and sole options both carried a faint double-asterisk, indicating they took a £20 (not £2) extra cost, while the one-asterisk scallops carried a £5 supplement.

Independent

On the flipside, when your sole options seem to be heroin, wanking, weights or board games, it forces you to be resourceful.

Vice

He concludes that "our sole treatment option -- for his benefit and for ours -- is to remove President Bush from office".

The New York Times - Health

The 600bhp bi-turbo 6.0-litre W12 (the sole engine option at launch, and anticipated to remain the best-seller even when the range expands) is good for a top speed of 187mph.

Independent

With the iPad, it has opted instead to keep the iPad 2 around as a sole backup option to the fourth generation iPad, and looks intent on continuing that trend.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole option", ensure that it accurately reflects a situation where genuinely no other alternatives exist. Overusing it can weaken your argument if other options are, in fact, available.

Common error

Avoid using "sole option" when several viable choices exist. This exaggerates the situation and can mislead readers. Instead, use phrases like "primary option" or "preferred choice" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole option" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "sole" modifies the noun "option". It indicates that there is only one choice or possibility available. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole option" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that only one choice or alternative exists. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various domains, especially in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While phrases like "only alternative" or "exclusive choice" can be used as substitutes, it's important to ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the absence of other viable alternatives. Avoid overusing "sole option" when multiple choices are, in reality, available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only alternative

Emphasizes the lack of other choices, focusing on the exclusivity of the option.

exclusive choice

Highlights the uniqueness and singularity of the selection.

single possibility

Focuses on the aspect of possibility, where only one exists.

one and only option

Stresses the uniqueness and lack of alternatives in a more emphatic way.

last resort

Implies the option is taken when all others have failed or are unavailable.

only recourse

Highlights that this is the only available avenue for assistance or resolution.

final solution

Indicates the last and decisive action to be taken.

unique avenue

Stresses singularity in path or method available.

ultimate option

Suggests the option is the most extreme or final available.

only game in town

An idiomatic way of saying there is no other real choice or alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole option" to describe a situation where only one choice is available, for example: "With all other funding sources exhausted, a bank loan became our "sole option"."

What are some alternatives to "sole option"?

Alternatives to "sole option" include "only alternative", "exclusive choice", or "single possibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "sole option" instead of "main option"?

"Sole option" is appropriate when there is truly only one choice, while "main option" implies there are other choices, but one is preferred. Use "sole option" only when no other alternatives are genuinely available.

Is "sole option" formal or informal language?

"Sole option" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing rather than the phrase itself.