the only condition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the only condition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying a singular requirement or stipulation that must be met in a given context. Example: "The only condition for joining the club is that you must be at least 18 years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everywhere, "inside" and out, the only condition was overflow.

The Guardian - Books

The only condition: "That we spend every night together under the same roof," he said.

The New York Times

The only condition is that you stay out the pub for two weeks".

The Guardian - Books

The only condition is that something serious is on the table that makes discussions productive.

The Guardian - Business

The only condition is that the policeman must remove his shoes to protect the upholstery.

The New Yorker

The only condition is that they win, and in this Knight and Calipari are linked.

The New York Times - Sports

Ezzat Soliman talks about the only condition for admission at the club he owns: no politics.

The New York Times

The only condition was that the discussion during dinner could not be reported.

The New York Times - Sports

Mahmoud Jebril said the only condition would be to enforce the zone from outside Libya.

The Guardian

The only condition was that Marx must promise not to use the pool.

Independent

The only condition is that you must keep 25 voters in each one.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the only condition", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the condition immediately afterward to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating "the only condition" without clearly specifying what that condition is. For example, instead of saying "The only condition is that it's done," specify, "The only condition is that it's completed by Friday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only condition" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a singular, crucial requirement or stipulation. Ludwig AI validates this as a common and grammatically sound construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only condition" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a singular, essential requirement or stipulation. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently employed across various domains, particularly in news media and scientific publications. While "the only condition" is simple, clarity is key: always specify the condition directly after the phrase. Alternatives such as "the sole requirement" and "the only prerequisite" can offer subtle nuances in meaning, depending on the specific context. Remember that while the phrase is widely applicable, explicitly stating the condition is essential for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sole requirement

Replaces "condition" with "requirement", emphasizing necessity.

the only prerequisite

Substitutes "condition" with "prerequisite", focusing on something needed beforehand.

the single stipulation

Uses "stipulation" instead of "condition", highlighting a specific demand.

the one term

Employs "term" in place of "condition", referring to a specific agreement.

the essential requirement

Adds "essential" to emphasize the importance of the requirement.

the main restriction

Focuses on the restrictive aspect using "restriction" instead of "condition".

the key provision

Replaces "condition" with "provision", stressing a specific clause.

the prime necessity

Highlights importance of the condition using 'prime necessity'.

the solitary requisite

Stresses uniqueness and necessity with "solitary requisite".

the defining factor

Shifts focus to the factor that determines the outcome, instead of a condition.

FAQs

How to use "the only condition" in a sentence?

Use "the only condition" to introduce a singular requirement or stipulation that must be met. For example, "The only condition for receiving the scholarship is maintaining a 3.5 GPA."

What can I say instead of "the only condition"?

You can use alternatives like "the sole requirement", "the only prerequisite", or "the single stipulation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the only condition is" or "the only condition are"?

"The only condition is" is correct because "condition" is singular. Use "is" to maintain subject-verb agreement.

What's the difference between "the only condition" and "a condition"?

"The only condition" specifies a single, exclusive requirement, while "a condition" implies one of potentially several requirements.