the sole remaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole remaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is the only one left of a particular group or category. Example: "After the storm, the sole remaining tree in the park stood tall against the skyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sole remaining MP is Sylvia Hermon.

The Economist

One shoe has only the sole remaining.

The New York Times

The sole remaining cloud is corporate debt.

The New York Times

With the Archer Daniels settlement, the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company is the sole remaining corporate defendant.

The New York Times

The sole remaining criterion for ownership is whether the buyer can afford it.

The New York Times

Yes, Angus is still there (indeed he is the sole remaining original member).

The Guardian - Music

America is not so much the sole remaining superpower as an empire.

The New York Times

Leader: Bob McCartney is now the sole remaining voice of the party since its meltdown.

The Guardian

Aplodontia rufa is the sole remaining species of the family Aplodontidae (suborder Sciuromorpha, order Rodentia).

Britannica

The sole remaining sport compact pickup truck optimized for street, as opposed to off-road, performance.

The New York Times

Occasionally a mewing cat ran frightened from room to room, the sole remaining member of the family.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sole remaining" to emphasize the uniqueness or last-of-its-kind status of something, especially when highlighting survival or persistence against odds.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole remaining" in situations where 'the only' or 'the last' would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole remaining" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifying that the noun is the only one left. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English. This structure is frequently used to highlight the uniqueness or last-of-its-kind status of the modified noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole remaining" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to emphasize the singularity or last-of-its-kind status of a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. While slightly more formal than alternatives like "the only remaining", it is generally suitable for neutral to formal writing. To enhance clarity and impact, avoid overuse in simpler scenarios where less emphatic alternatives suffice. This phrase is an effective tool to underscore the unique or surviving nature of the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only one remaining

This alternative directly replaces 'sole' with 'only one', emphasizing singularity.

the one remaining

Simplifies the phrase by removing 'sole', maintaining the core meaning of being the only one left.

the single remaining

Replaces 'sole' with 'single', which also indicates uniqueness and being the only one.

the final remaining

Focuses on the aspect of being the last in a sequence or series.

the last one standing

This alternative evokes a sense of survival and resilience, often used metaphorically.

the lone remaining

Implies a sense of being alone and isolated as the last one.

the solitary remaining

Emphasizes the isolation and loneliness of being the last one.

the only survivor

Focuses on the aspect of surviving a process or event that eliminated others.

the unique remaining

Highlights the distinctiveness and special nature of being the only one left.

the ultimate remaining

Emphasizes the culmination and finality of being the last one.

FAQs

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

You can use "the sole remaining" to describe something that is the only one left from a larger group. For example: "After the company layoffs, John was the sole remaining employee in the department."

What are some alternatives to "the sole remaining"?

Some alternatives to "the sole remaining" include "the only remaining", "the last remaining", or "the only survivor". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "the sole remaining" or "the only remaining"?

"The sole remaining" is slightly more formal than "the only remaining". Both are generally acceptable, but "the sole remaining" might be preferred in more formal or literary contexts.

What is the difference between "the sole remaining" and "the only remaining"?

While both phrases convey the idea of being the single item left, "sole" emphasizes uniqueness and exclusivity, whereas "only" is a more general term for being the single one. Thus, "the sole remaining" highlights a sense of singularity more strongly than "the only remaining".