the only winner

USAGE SUMMARY

"the only winner" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the sole person or thing that has succeeded or achieved a victory in a competition or situation. Example: "Out of all the contestants, Jane was the only winner of the baking competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The only winner: Trump.

The New Yorker

The only winner is the film industry.

The Economist

The only winner will be Hamas.

The Economist

The only winner has been Islamic militancy.

The New York Times

"The only winner is the consumer.

The Guardian - Business

Facebook really is the only winner.

The Guardian

Hawking, 70, is not the only winner.

The Guardian

Not that I am the only winner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sebastian Faulks was the only winner who didn't turn up.

Independent

The only winner in this game is Isis.

The Guardian - Opinion

So with any luck, it will end up the only winner.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the only winner" to clearly identify the single entity that benefits or succeeds in a competitive or complex situation.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "only" directly before "winner". Incorrect placement can change the sentence's meaning. For example, "The winner is only him" implies something different than "He is the only winner."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the only winner" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the single entity that achieves victory or benefits in a particular situation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the only winner" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a single victor or beneficiary. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance in diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. While alternatives such as "the sole victor" or "the ultimate beneficiary" exist, they subtly shift the emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by placing "only" correctly to avoid ambiguity. The prevalence and versatile nature of "the only winner" make it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sole victor

Replaces "winner" with "victor", emphasizing triumph or conquest.

the only victor

Synonymous replacement highlighting triumph.

the single winner

Emphasizes the singularity of the winner.

the lone winner

Suggests the winner is isolated or unique.

the solitary winner

Implies the winner stands alone, possibly after a difficult contest.

the ultimate beneficiary

Focuses on who receives the benefit, not necessarily through competition.

the only one who benefits

Highlights the advantage gained by a single entity.

the prime recipient

Suggests a main receiver of something desirable.

the top performer

Highlights performance excellence leading to victory.

the champion

Implies a strong and recognized winner.

FAQs

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

Use "the only winner" to highlight the sole individual or entity that succeeds or benefits in a given situation. For instance, "In the end, "the company" was the only winner after the merger."

What are some alternatives to "the only winner"?

Alternatives include "the sole victor", "the ultimate beneficiary", or simply "the champion", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "the only winner" or "the sole winner"?

Both "the only winner" and "the sole winner" are acceptable. "Sole" emphasizes exclusivity, while "only" is a more general descriptor.

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

"The only winner" specifies there is just one victor, whereas "a winner" simply indicates someone who has won, without implying exclusivity.