sole remaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole remaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is the only one left of a particular group or category. Example: "After the storm, the sole remaining tree in the park stood tall against the skyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sole remaining MP is Sylvia Hermon.

The Economist

One shoe has only the sole remaining.

The New York Times

The sole remaining cloud is corporate debt.

The New York Times

Family One grandson, Jeeter, is Cheeta's sole remaining descendant.

The Guardian

With the Archer Daniels settlement, the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company is the sole remaining corporate defendant.

The New York Times

Then Vic cackled, and John threw his sole remaining five at Vic's chest.

The New Yorker

The sole remaining criterion for ownership is whether the buyer can afford it.

The New York Times

You'll note that Don's sole remaining confidantes appear to be the staff at his call service.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yes, Angus is still there (indeed he is the sole remaining original member).

The Guardian - Music

America is not so much the sole remaining superpower as an empire.

The New York Times

Anam's sole remaining principal asset is a semiconductor wafer foundry in South Korea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For impact, consider coupling "sole remaining" with descriptive adjectives that highlight the special qualities or significance of the last entity.

Common error

Avoid using "sole remaining" when the context already implies uniqueness or finality. Saying "the sole remaining survivor" can be redundant if it's already clear that survivors are, by definition, unique and last.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole remaining" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is the only one left. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes a final or unique entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole remaining" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the final or unique entity within a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it commonly appears in news, encyclopedic, and general writing contexts. When using "sole remaining", ensure that you provide adequate context and avoid redundancy. Consider alternatives such as "only one left" or "last one standing" to vary your writing. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "sole remaining" to emphasize the finality and uniqueness of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only one left

Focuses on the aspect of being the only survivor or existing entity.

only survivor

Directly indicates that only one entity has survived.

last one standing

Emphasizes survival and persistence to the end.

final survivor

Highlights that this is the last survivor in an event.

single remaining

Highlights the singularity and continued existence of something.

lone survivor

Emphasizes the isolation of the remaining entity.

unique survivor

Stresses the uniqueness of the surviving entity.

ultimate survivor

Suggests the remaining entity survived many hardships and situations.

last vestige

Implies that what remains is a trace or remnant of something larger that is now gone.

remaining vestige

Highlights that this is just a glimpse of what once was.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole remaining" to describe the last entity of a group, such as "The oak was the "sole remaining" tree after the fire", or "She is the "sole remaining" member of the band".

What are some alternatives to "sole remaining"?

Alternatives include "only one left", "last one standing", or "unique survivor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the sole remaining survivor"?

While commonly used, "the "sole remaining survivor"" can be considered redundant, as 'remaining' already implies survival. However, it can be used for emphasis.

What's the difference between "sole remaining" and "last remaining"?

"Sole remaining" emphasizes uniqueness and being the only one, while "last remaining" highlights the aspect of being the final entity in a sequence or process. Both can often be used interchangeably, but ""sole remaining"" gives more weight to the uniqueness.