still only one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still only one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that despite other possibilities or options, there remains a singular entity or instance. Example: "After all the discussions and proposals, we are still only one team working on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Why is there still only one woman on our supreme court?

The Guardian

It's far more lucrative, too: overheads stay low, because there's still only one person on stage.

The Guardian

Still, only one entry on Mr. McCain's Greatest Fits list occurred in the last year.

The New York Times

The answering machine was invented when there was still only one President's head on Mt. Rushmore.

Huffington Post

There was still only one poster.

Harvard University

Answer: It's still only one arc.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Average incomes in central Europe are still only one-quarter of those in western Europe.

The Economist

But it is still only one-fifth of that in manufacturing.

The Economist

Electricity consumption per head in Turkey is still only one-third of the average for rich countries.

The Economist

Believe it or not, China's GDP is still only one-tenth of ours.

Forbes

Yet survival among IBC patients is still only one-half that among patients with non-IBC.

Breast Cancer Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still only one" to emphasize a surprising lack of increase or change when more might have been expected. For example, "After all the efforts, there's still only one solution available."

Common error

Avoid using "still only one" when simply stating a quantity. It's best used to express surprise or disappointment about the lack of increase or alternatives. Using it for neutral statements may sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still only one" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating quantity and a sense of continuation or lack of change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still only one" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that adds emphasis to a limited quantity or a lack of change over time. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and business communication. While simple in structure, "still only one" conveys a sense of surprise or disappointment and should be used when highlighting an unexpectedly small quantity or a situation that has not progressed as anticipated. Consider alternatives like "remains just one" or "is still just one" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains just one

Emphasizes the continuation of a singular state.

is still just one

Adds emphasis to the singleness of the object, highlighting the lack of change.

yet only one

Highlights the contrast between expectation and reality.

even now only one

Draws attention to the fact that the situation persists even after a period of time.

at present only one

Focuses on the current state of having only one.

currently only one

Highlights the present condition of being limited to one.

merely one remaining

Emphasizes the small number left.

solely one existing

Highlights that there is just a single instance.

just a single

Stresses the singularity in a concise manner.

only a solitary

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the single item.

FAQs

How can I use "still only one" in a sentence?

Use "still only one" to highlight a lack of change or an unexpectedly small quantity. For instance, "Despite years of effort, there's "still only one" effective treatment for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "still only one"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "remains just one", "is still just one", or "yet only one".

When is it appropriate to use "still only one"?

Use "still only one" when you want to express surprise or disappointment that a quantity has not increased, or that alternatives haven't emerged. It's effective for emphasizing a limitation despite expectations to the contrary.

Is there a difference between "still only one" and "only one"?

"Only one" simply states the quantity. "Still only one" emphasizes that the quantity has remained the same despite an expectation or effort that it should have increased. The "still" adds a sense of persistence or lack of progress.