sole possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is the only option or alternative available in a given situation. Example: "Given the circumstances, pursuing a settlement was the sole possibility left for us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

That culture, though, is not the inert tradition, fixed at America's birth, that Huntington sees as the sole possibility for the basis of national identity.

Princeton University

It can be applied in many vehicles, where the sole possibility to automate the steering in emergency situations, like e.g. unintended lane departure, is the application of the electronic brake system.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

By 1949, however, Althusser was totally pessimistic about this possibility and, in a letter to his mentor Jean Lacroix, he argued that the sole possibility for realizing Christian values is through communist action.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hartshorne maintains that, "the semantic analysis of truth with reference to future events should not be so formulated as to make 'will' and 'will not' the sole possibilities" (Hartshorne 2011a, 83).

SEP

Many base their understanding that men or women are the sole possibilities upon their reading of Genesis 1 27: "So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God created he them, male and female he created them".

Huffington Post

The radical surgery, as yet, is the sole way of possibility to achieve long-term survival for resectable patients with this disease.

BioMed Research International

Gutkowski's selection of him as the sole defendant raises the possibility that Steinbrenner will give a deposition or testify in court.

The New York Times - Sports

They got obfuscation and, worse, a letter from Holder, which I wrote about this morning, that placed the killing of some Americans on American soil, by some means, at the President's sole discretion, a distinct possibility.

The New Yorker

There are many possibilities, including sole trader, partnership, incorporated company, etc.

WikiHow

This week the CEO of the Saudi stock exchange addresses concerns about the upcoming Saudi Aramco IPO and the possibility of a sole listing of the company in Riyadh.

Forbes

Indeed, Cubans endure nowadays the result of his doings as the sole person with ideas and possibility to carry them out during 46 years.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sole possibility" when emphasizing that there is truly only one option available, avoiding exaggeration or overlooking potential alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "sole possibility" when multiple options exist, even if one seems clearly preferable. This can weaken your argument and make you appear less objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole possibility" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to identify a single, unique option or course of action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole possibility" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize that there is only one option or alternative available. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is valid across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While "sole possibility" is relatively rare in occurrence, when employed, it serves to highlight the singularity and importance of the remaining option. Alternatives such as "only option" or "exclusive choice" can be used to convey a similar meaning. When writing, be sure that it reflects the fact that is truly the one and only option and avoid the use of redundant terms such as "only sole possibility".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only option

Focuses on the lack of alternatives, emphasizing the singular choice.

exclusive choice

Highlights the limited selection and the unique nature of the option.

only recourse

Implies a difficult situation where the option is the only way to proceed.

single alternative

Emphasizes that there isn't a variety of choices.

one and only option

Stresses the uniqueness and finality of the selection.

last resort

Suggests a desperate situation where this is the final option available.

solely possible

Indicates that there are no other ways to approach the situation.

unique opportunity

Highlights the singular nature of the situation and its potential benefits.

only avenue

Suggests a pathway or route that is the single one available.

the only game in town

An idiomatic expression indicating that no other alternatives exist.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole possibility" to emphasize that there is only one option available. For example, "Given the circumstances, pursuing a settlement was the sole possibility left for us."

What are some alternatives to "sole possibility"?

Alternatives include "only option", "exclusive choice", or "only recourse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "only sole possibility"?

Yes, using "only" before "sole possibility" is generally redundant as "sole" already implies that there is only one. Stick to "sole possibility" for clarity.

What's the difference between "sole possibility" and "best option"?

"Sole possibility" implies that there is no other choice, while "best option" suggests that there are other options, but one is preferable. The phrase "best option" doesn't exclude other options to be possible.