the sole consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the only source of comfort or relief in a difficult situation. Example: "After the loss, the sole consolation was knowing that she had lived a full and happy life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Cigarettes, it seems, are the sole consolation left to the men of the first marines.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

While BBC4 was celebrating a hat-trick, BBC2 had the sole consolation of the acting prize picked up by Anthony Hopkins for The Dresser.

The Guardian

The Bullring was transformed into a Colosseum and the sole consolation was England were at least able to get out of there alive.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The emotional power of Taimur's story derives from the fact that his sole consolation lies within his own skull; to provide an escape hatch feels dishonest.

The New York Times - Books

Our sole consolation is the hope that we will become a democracy one day: the dream that we will free ourselves, at long last, from the autocracy of Maoism and monarchy alike.

The New York Times

Since they have no possibility of defeating his forces militarily, and are at the mercy of Serb shells and snipers, their sole consolation is to laugh at the paraleader's outrageous pomposity.

The New Yorker

His sole consolation is that third-quarter GDP figures, published at the end of October, will overstate the economy's strength just as the latest set have exaggerated its weakness.

The Economist

My sole consolation was that I managed to get my revenge on the biting insects by eating a handful of termites, which disappointingly tasted like wood.

Vice

Its sole consolation lay in shared misery.

The New Yorker

Vanya's sole consolation is his passion for Yelena.

The New Yorker

Mark's sole consolation is that Jeremy is, if anything, an even bigger loser.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sole consolation" when you want to emphasize that there is only one source of comfort or relief in a difficult situation, highlighting its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole consolation" when describing generally positive situations. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where comfort is scarce and hard-won.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole consolation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's analysis shows it's used to identify the singular source of comfort in a situation, as confirmed by the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole consolation" is a noun phrase that denotes the only source of comfort or relief in a challenging situation. Ludwig AI verifies that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While it appears less frequently than more common alternatives, it carries a strong emphasis on the singularity of comfort. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's suitable for formal and informal contexts, though best reserved for scenarios where comfort is scarce. Use it to underscore the importance of a single positive aspect amidst difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only comfort

Emphasizes exclusivity in providing comfort, similar to "the sole consolation".

the single solace

Highlights the singular nature of the relief provided, closely mirroring the original phrase.

the only source of solace

Expands on the idea of a singular source, adding descriptive depth.

the unique comfort

Stresses the distinctiveness of the comfort, suggesting it is one-of-a-kind.

the lone comfort

Indicates that comfort is isolated or the only one available.

the solitary comfort

Focuses on the aloneness of the comfort, emphasizing its singularity.

the one comfort

A simpler way to convey the idea of having only one source of comfort.

the solitary source of relief

Highlights the isolated nature of the relief, expanding on the concept.

the only thing to be thankful for

Shifts the focus to gratitude while maintaining the idea of a singular positive element.

the silver lining

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate the only positive aspect in a negative situation.

FAQs

What does "the sole consolation" mean?

The phrase "the sole consolation" refers to the only source of comfort or relief in a difficult or unfortunate situation. It emphasizes that there is only one thing providing any form of solace.

How can I use "the sole consolation" in a sentence?

You might say, "After losing the game, "the sole consolation" was that the team had played their best" or "In the face of such devastation, "the sole consolation" was the community's unwavering support."

What can I say instead of "the sole consolation"?

You can use alternatives like "the only comfort", "the single solace", or "the only source of solace" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "the sole consolation" in formal writing?

Yes, "the sole consolation" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when conveying a sense of loss, difficulty, or adversity where a single source of comfort exists.