the sole criterion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the sole criterion' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to emphasize that something is the single or most important factor in making a decision or judgment. For example, "When deciding which candidate to hire for the job, the sole criterion was the candidate's relevant experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Educational Testing Service guidelines specify that a "cutoff score based solely on GRE scores should never be used as the sole criterion for denial of admissions".

Huffington Post

In every corner of the culture, money has increasingly become the sole criterion of success.

The New Yorker

"Teachers were not asked whether pupil results should be the sole criterion for determining pay progression.

The Guardian

And that, said most of the panel, is the sole criterion of success.

The Guardian

We do not use residency as the sole criterion for attracting talent to Nassau County.

The New York Times

The sole criterion of admission remains a high score on a certified I. Q

The New York Times - Magazine

At Facebook, "relevance" is virtually the sole criterion that determines what users see.

The New York Times

But is the ability to dodge tax the sole criterion they apply to their decisions to invest?

The Guardian

For decades, Trump has received more media attention than would be necessary if newsworthiness were the sole criterion.

The New Yorker

"Michigan is the only state that uses a test like the MEAP test as the sole criterion for awarding these scholarships," he said.

The New York Times

So even if, within these areas, peer-reviewed excellence of science were to be the sole criterion, someone has to decide how much resource goes into each area.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the sole criterion", ensure that no other factors are being considered to avoid misleading the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole criterion" if other factors, even minor ones, influence the decision or assessment. Be precise about the level of influence each criterion has.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole criterion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to define the exclusive basis for judgment or decision-making.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Science & Research

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole criterion" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that highlights the single, exclusive factor in a decision or assessment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and effective in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and research contexts, emphasizing its importance in formal discourse. While alternatives like "the only criterion" and "the single criterion" exist, it's crucial to ensure that no other factors are considered when using this phrase to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only criterion

Replaces "sole" with its direct synonym "only", emphasizing exclusivity.

the single criterion

Uses "single" instead of "sole", highlighting that there's just one factor.

the exclusive criterion

Emphasizes that this criterion is the only one considered, excluding all others.

the determining factor

Shifts from "criterion" to "factor", focusing on influence.

the decisive factor

Focuses on the element that brings a decision or result.

the key consideration

Highlights the importance of the factor rather than its exclusivity.

the primary basis

Changes "criterion" to "basis", suggesting a foundation or reason.

the main consideration

Focuses on importance but does not necessarily mean it's the only one.

the most important factor

Highlights the degree of importance rather than strict exclusivity.

the fundamental requirement

Highlights the necessity of the factor above all other considerations.

FAQs

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

You can use "the sole criterion" to emphasize that only one factor is considered important. For example, "For this scholarship, academic excellence is "the sole criterion"."

What are some alternatives to "the sole criterion"?

Alternatives include "the only criterion", "the single criterion", or "the determining factor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "the sole criterion" imply?

The phrase "the sole criterion" implies that there is only one factor being considered or used to make a judgment or decision, and no other factors are relevant.

Is it always accurate to use "the sole criterion"?

No, it's important to use "the sole criterion" only when one factor truly outweighs all others. If multiple factors are at play, it's more accurate to use phrases like "the main consideration" or "the primary basis".