solely because

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'solely because' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that the reason for a certain action or situation is due exclusively to one factor. For example, "He was denied entrance solely because he didn't have the correct credentials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Solely because he would vanish.

The Guardian - Books

I think solely because we did This Is England.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

These vast sums are generated solely because heroin is illegal.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think it's solely because of resources," says Schaffer.

The Guardian - Tech

He was expelled solely because he is gay.

The New York Times

Was this solely because al-Nusra had adopted suicide attacks?

The Washington Post

The application is not denied solely because of the name.

The New York Times

Is Mrs. Bachmann fading solely because Mr. Perry is gaining?

The New York Times

46 solely because of the drug testing part of the initiative.

University of California, Berkeley

It becomes especially problematic when people are aggressively killed solely because of their blackness.

University of California, Berkeley

[n2] Appellants denied them those jobs solely because they were not citizens.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solely because", ensure that the context supports the claim that no other factors significantly influenced the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "solely because" when multiple factors contribute to the outcome; it can oversimplify complex situations and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solely because" functions as an adverbial phrase that introduces a clause explaining the exclusive reason or cause for a particular event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes that no other factor is responsible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solely because" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that a single reason is responsible for a particular outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and serves to highlight the exclusive cause of an event. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and academic contexts, this phrase provides clarity and directness, ensuring the reader understands the singular factor at play. When using "solely because", ensure that no other significant factors are influencing the situation, or it could lead to oversimplification. Alternatives such as "exclusively due to" or "merely as a result of" can be considered for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively due to

Highlights the unique cause, similar to "solely because" but with an emphasis on the exclusive nature of the reason.

entirely on account of

Like "solely because", it stresses the complete dependence on a single cause.

merely as a result of

Emphasizes the simplicity and direct consequence of the action.

simply for the reason that

Conveys a basic explanation for why something occurred.

precisely because

Emphasizes accuracy and directness in the causal relationship.

purely on the grounds that

Highlights the justification or basis for the action.

specifically since

Highlights the specific reason or condition that led to a certain result.

only by virtue of

Suggests that something is possible solely due to a specific condition.

for no other reason than

This phrase is more emphatic, highlighting the lack of additional causes.

just because

A more informal version emphasizing a single reason.

FAQs

How can I use "solely because" in a sentence?

Use "solely because" to indicate that something happens for one reason and no other. For example, "The application was rejected "solely because of the name"".

What are some alternatives to saying "solely because"?

You can use alternatives such as "exclusively due to", "merely as a result of", or "simply for the reason that" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to use "solely because" in formal writing?

Yes, "solely because" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to express a single cause.

What is the difference between "solely because" and "partly because"?

"Solely because" indicates a single cause, while "partly because" suggests that there are multiple contributing factors. If something is "partly because" of something, there are other reasons as well.