the only other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the only other" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase to distinguish between one or several entities when you want to emphasize that there is only one other in comparison to the one previously mentioned. For example: "My parents were always very supportive of my career, and the only other person that encouraged me was my best friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The festival is not the only summer tango gathering.

The New York Times

Strawberries are not the only fruit; they're not even the only summer berries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So begins the only Christmas tune ever penned by Frank Sinatra.

Huffington Post

He was the only 2010 selection the Lions did not keep on their active roster.

Los Angeles Times

Clinton hasn't been the only 2016 candidate to rally around the issue.

Vice

Paul isn't the only 2016 presidential contender to belatedly call for the flag's removal.

Huffington Post

"He interviewed the leader of the opposition only six weeks ago.

The Guardian

Rutgers was the worst team in the conference only 10 days ago.

The New York Times - Sports

New York passed the legislation only last week.

The New York Times

This was the reality only 13 years ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simon finished the suspension only two months ago.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the only other" to clearly indicate that there is exactly one other item or option being considered, distinguishing it from multiple possibilities. For example: "This is the main solution; the only other option is too expensive."

Common error

Avoid using "the only other" if there are actually several alternatives. This phrase implies a strict limitation to just one additional possibility; otherwise, phrases like "another" or "other options" are more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only other" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically limiting the possibilities to one additional item or option. As Ludwig AI indicates, it distinguishes between entities by emphasizing there's just one more compared to what was previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only other" is a determiner phrase used to specify that there is just one additional possibility or item besides the one already mentioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to limit options, emphasizing singularity. While no direct examples were found, its use is clear: to distinguish and highlight a single, unique alternative. The register is neutral, suitable for various contexts. Remember to use it only when one additional option truly exists to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remaining one

Simply refers to the one that is left.

last remaining

Similar to sole remaining, but stresses the finality.

sole remaining

Emphasizes the idea of being the only one left.

single alternative

Focuses on having just one other option available.

one additional

A straightforward way to mention there is only one extra.

just one more

Highlights the existence of only one additional item or option.

exclusive other

Highlights that the other option is the only one of its kind.

unique alternative

Stresses the distinctiveness of the remaining option.

singular alternative

Focuses on the solitary nature of the different option.

distinct other

Emphasizes the separateness and difference of the single remaining entity.

FAQs

How can I use "the only other" in a sentence?

Use "the only other" to specify that, besides the one you've already mentioned, there is just one more. For example, "Besides John, "the only other" person who knew about this was Mary."

What's a more concise way to say "the only other"?

Depending on the context, you could use "the remaining" or "the sole" instead of "the only other". For example, "This is the remaining piece" or "He is the sole survivor."

Is it correct to say "the another" instead of "the only other"?

No, "the another" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase to use when indicating there's just one more option is "the only other".

When should I use "the only other" versus "another"?

Use "the only other" when you want to emphasize that there is just one other option available. Use "another" when you want to indicate that there is at least one more option available, but you aren't specifying the exact number.