solely on its

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solely on its" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is based exclusively or entirely on a specific factor or element. Example: "The decision was made solely on its merits, without any external influences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Judging it solely on its commercial effectiveness does it a disservice.

Vice

Instead it relies solely on its Windows 'Metro'-esque UI for returning subsequent information and issuing follow-up prompts.

TechCrunch

In a competitive and globalised business environment, a company can never out-perform its competitors, if it depends solely on its products alone.

Computers in Industry

In practice this means that it cannot rely solely on its own MPs to get its legislation through the house.

The Guardian

Imaging tests were classified as X-rays, or CT scan/MRI, since in some regions the prescription of one or the other depends solely on its availability.

BMC Health Services Research

She did not do so, she said, because the company met the standards for a grant, and she thought it should be judged solely on its merits.

The New York Times

"White Supremacy has to validate it's (sic) own identity based solely on its relationship to other races!," he writes.

Huffington Post

Is it possible to judge a sophomore effort solely on its own merits?

The New York Times - Books

Which begs the question – when will it ditch the national AM licence and concentrate solely on its London and digital services?

The Guardian

For all this baggage, "Vinyl" should still offer dirty kicks, based solely on its subject matter.

The New Yorker

The higher price was based solely on its value as a signpost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solely on its", ensure that the context clearly indicates the single, exclusive factor being considered. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details about the basis of the judgment or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "solely on its" when multiple factors genuinely contribute to a decision or outcome. Overstating the exclusivity can weaken your argument and misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solely on its" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the exclusive basis for an action, judgment, or state. It emphasizes that no other factors are considered, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "solely on its" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that indicates an exclusive basis or determining factor. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely reflects a single determining factor to avoid ambiguity or misrepresentation. Consider related alternatives like "exclusively on its" or "entirely on its" to fine-tune your intended meaning. Avoiding the common error of overlooking other relevant factors is crucial for maintaining clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusively on its

Replaces "solely" with "exclusively", emphasizing the single determining factor.

entirely on its

Substitutes "solely" with "entirely", highlighting the completeness of the dependency.

purely on its

Uses "purely" instead of "solely", stressing the absence of any other element.

only on its

Replaces "solely" with "only", emphasizing the restricted nature of the basis.

merely on its

Replaces "solely" with "merely", potentially implying a limitation or simplification.

determined solely by its

Focuses on the aspect of determination rather than simple reliance.

dependent on only its

Adds "dependent on" for emphasis, highlighting the reliance on a single element.

just on its

Informal substitution, replacing "solely" with "just" for a more casual tone.

contingent solely upon its

More formal phrasing, emphasizing conditional reliance.

predicated exclusively upon its

Emphasizes the foundation or basis being exclusively on something.

FAQs

How can I use "solely on its" in a sentence?

You can use "solely on its" to indicate that a decision, judgment, or outcome is based exclusively on a particular aspect or characteristic. For example, "The movie's success was judged "solely on its" box office performance".

What are some alternatives to "solely on its"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exclusively on its", "entirely on its", or "purely on its", which all convey a similar meaning of exclusive reliance. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it always appropriate to use "solely on its"?

Using "solely on its" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that only one factor is being considered. However, ensure that this is genuinely the case, as using it inaccurately can be misleading or dismissive of other contributing elements.

What is the difference between "solely on its" and "primarily on its"?

"Solely on its" indicates that only one factor is considered, while "primarily on its" suggests that one factor is the most important, but others might also play a role. The choice depends on whether the factor is truly exclusive or just dominant.