the sole thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole thing" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something is the only thing or the single thing. For example, "The sole thing standing between me and my goal is determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Many students fall into the trap of believing that grades are the sole thing perspective employers consider.

The Guardian - Money

On the other hand, suffering is the sole thing you can do extravagantly without people resenting you.

The New York Times - Books

The sole thing I have learned worth the telling is the ironclad necessity of retaining control over one's essential bodily fluids".

The New York Times

The sole thing that cheered her was staring at the holiday cards with family photographs on her refrigerator from the three couples who used her eggs, and thinking about how — were it not for her — they would all be having miserable holidays, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sole thing the estate sorely lacks?

Forbes

we created it in the first place and we all need to realise that the sole thing creating terrorist ideology in the world is because of our own actions in the middle east.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The sole sad thing about this lovely 70-minute show is that it runs only through Sunday.

The New York Times

The American National Psoriasis Foundation praised her bravery in allowing the diagnosis to be screened, and it remains the sole good thing to have come out of any television programme featuring a Kardashian.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sea, and hill, and wood, With all the numberless goings-on of life, Inaudible as dreams! the thin blue flame Lies on my low-burnt fire, and quivers not; Only that film, which fluttered on the grate, Still flutters there, the sole unquiet thing.

The Guardian - Books

I do, too, every day of my life," and then she was gone, down the steps, curving with the path into the night, Napoleon — so named because the dog did not like to chew on bones, though he liked to tear the bones apart (the sole original thing he'd ever known Breezy's father to come up with) — trotting along on his leash without a backward glance.

The New Yorker

She then sings the first verse, telling her boyfriend that they should not care what their parents tell them, and that their love is the sole important thing in their lives.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sole thing" when you want to emphasize that something is the only factor, item, or consideration of importance. It conveys a sense of exclusivity and singularity.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole thing" in very casual or informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "the only thing" would sound more natural. Using it too frequently can make your speech sound stilted or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole thing" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a noun. It modifies a noun to indicate that it is the single or only item of importance or consideration, adding emphasis to its uniqueness. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the singularity or exclusivity of something. While considered correct and usable as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is more appropriate for neutral to formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific writing, or professional communications. More common alternatives include "the only thing" or "the single thing". While this phrase appears across a variety of sources, the frequency of this phrase is uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only thing

Replaces "sole" with "only", a more common synonym, to convey the same meaning of exclusivity.

the single thing

Substitutes "sole" with "single", indicating that there is just one item or aspect being considered.

the one thing

A shorter, more direct way of expressing that only one item matters or exists.

the exclusive thing

Replaces "sole" with "exclusive", suggesting that the thing is unique and not shared.

the unique thing

Emphasizes the distinctiveness and individuality of the item or aspect.

the only aspect

Focuses specifically on an aspect or element, rather than a broader "thing".

the only element

Highlights that there's just one component.

the main thing

Shifts the emphasis to importance, indicating the primary focus.

the crucial thing

Highlights something of vital significance.

the essential thing

Focuses on what is absolutely necessary or fundamental.

FAQs

What does "the sole thing" mean?

The phrase "the sole thing" means the only thing or the single thing. It emphasizes that there is nothing else involved or nothing else that matters.

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

You can use alternatives like "the only thing", "the single thing", or "the one thing" depending on the context.

How do you use "the sole thing" in a sentence?

You can use "the sole thing" to highlight the unique importance of an element, like in this example: "The sole thing that cheered her was staring at the holiday cards."

Is it better to say "the sole thing" or "the only thing"?

Both "the sole thing" and "the only thing" are grammatically correct. "The sole thing" is slightly more formal and emphasizes exclusivity more strongly, while "the only thing" is more common and versatile.