solely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is exclusive or limited to one particular thing or reason. Example: "She is solely responsible for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

The authors say that the healthcare system cannot be solely blamed for this issue, which is strongly influenced by social and economic factors.

The Guardian

To make things worse, it was not a myth copied and perpetuated solely by the tabloids; the broadsheets were equally responsible for repeating it, and perhaps did more to legitimise it than the tabloids.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the throng were autograph hunters of Robert Carlyle: they were only keen on pursuing the actor; I was alone in being solely interested in the director.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead of being organised solely on a geographic basis, the bank will now pool its expertise across sectors such as health, education and transport so that ideas could be shared across national borders.

The Guardian

Those managing the money are not guided solely by profit maximisation: there's an investment philosophy saying no money will be put into tobacco or Sudan.

The Guardian

Lucky for writers of children's fiction there are at least 10 opportunities for them to submit to prizes which are solely for fiction.

The Guardian

Initial attempts to extradite Aswat had been blocked in April 2013 by ECHR judges solely on the grounds of the severity of his illness and that there were insufficient guarantees about the accommodation and treatment available to him under detention in the US.

The Guardian

The proposed bill of digital rights would ensure that newspapers and other media were not required to rely solely on the right to freedom of expression spelled out under article 10 of the European convention on human rights, which many argue does not provide enough protection to journalists.

The Guardian - Tech

She added: "The decision not to publish had absolutely nothing to do with any 'activism' on the part of the reviewers or the journal, as suggested in The Times' article; the rejection was solely based on the content of the paper not meeting the journal's high editorial standards.

The Guardian

I've spent hours learning this lately, catapulted by search engines to the dank recesses of parenting forums that exist solely to imply I'm guilty of child abuse because I don't know the best sort of blanket to put in a pram yet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solely", ensure that the context clearly indicates the exclusion of all other factors or elements to avoid ambiguity. For emphasis, consider pairing it with phrases like "entirely" or "exclusively".

Common error

Avoid using "solely" when other factors contribute to the situation, even if they are minor. Overstating exclusivity can weaken your argument and mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "solely" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that something is the exclusive or only factor, cause, or manner. Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its use in contexts where exclusivity is emphasized. It suggests that there is no other element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solely" is an adverb used to indicate that something is the exclusive or only factor involved. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in news and media, formal business, and scientific writing. Its purpose is to emphasize a singular cause or reason, excluding other possibilities. When using "solely", ensure you clearly indicate the absence of other contributing factors. While alternatives like "exclusively" or "only" exist, "solely" provides a specific nuance of singularity. Overstating exclusivity is a common mistake to avoid. It's a versatile word that can improve clarity when used correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively

Indicates that something is limited to a single entity or aspect, emphasizing the absence of others.

exclusively

Stresses that something is restricted to a particular individual, group, or category.

only

A more common and general term signifying that there is no other alternative or element involved.

purely

Highlights the unmixed or unadulterated nature of something, suggesting it is entirely of one kind.

entirely

Emphasizes the completeness of something, indicating that it is wholly and fully the case.

simply

Suggests that something is merely or just the case, with no additional factors or complications.

merely

Similar to "simply", emphasizing the insignificance or lack of importance of other factors.

just

Indicates that something is precisely or exactly the case, with no deviation or exception.

alone

Highlights the state of being solitary or without others, emphasizing the singularity of the element.

singly

Indicates that something is done or considered one at a time, without any combination or mixture.

FAQs

How can I use "solely" in a sentence?

Use "solely" to indicate that something is exclusively responsible or involved. For instance, "The decision was "entirely" based on merit, "not solely" on seniority".

What words can I use instead of "solely"?

Alternatives include "exclusively", "only", "purely", or "entirely", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "solely because"?

Yes, "solely because" is grammatically correct and used to emphasize that something is the only reason for something else. For example, "He was chosen "solely because" of his experience".

What's the difference between "solely" and "simply"?

"Solely" emphasizes exclusivity, meaning something is the only factor involved. "Simply" suggests something is straightforward or uncomplicated. For example, "The problem is "simply" a lack of funding" versus "The problem is "solely" a lack of funding".