they alone

USAGE SUMMARY

"they alone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the actions or traits of a single group or individual: "The members of the team worked hard, but they alone succeeded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Were they alone?

The New Yorker

They alone can validate it.

The New York Times - Books

Nor are they alone.

The New York Times

They alone set the exams and they alone grade them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor are they alone in this project.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nor are they alone in this respect.

The Guardian - Film

But they alone are not enough.

The New York Times

They alone are to blame for that, and nobody else.

The Guardian - Opinion

They alone have the ability to show us ourselves".

The New York Times

In that respect, they alone exceeded early promises.

The New York Times

They alone rejected Schoenberg in favour of Elgar".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For enhanced clarity, consider rephrasing sentences where 'they alone' might lead to ambiguity, especially when dealing with complex subjects. Try replacing it with terms like 'only they' or 'exclusively them' to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid overusing "they alone" when other factors contribute to the outcome. Ensure the context genuinely supports the idea that only they are responsible, as overemphasizing exclusivity can create an inaccurate or misleading impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they alone" functions as an emphatic appositive, highlighting the exclusive agency or capability of a specific group. Ludwig shows many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they alone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for emphasizing the exclusivity of a group's actions or responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news to academic writing. While versatile, ensure its usage accurately reflects genuine exclusivity to avoid misinterpretations. Remember to consider alternatives like "only they" or "they exclusively" for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only they

Replaces "alone" with "only" to convey a similar sense of exclusivity.

they exclusively

Uses the adverb "exclusively" to emphasize that only they are involved.

they solely

Emphasizes that they are the only ones with responsibility or capability.

they and no others

Explicitly excludes others, reinforcing the exclusivity.

they by themselves

Highlights their independence and lack of assistance.

they independently

Focuses on their autonomous action without external influence.

they without assistance

Stresses that they achieved something without help.

they unassisted

A more concise way of saying they did it without help.

they single-handedly

Implies they accomplished something significant on their own.

just them

A simpler, more informal way of expressing exclusivity.

FAQs

How can I use "they alone" in a sentence?

Use "they alone" to emphasize that a specific group or entity is uniquely responsible or capable of something. For example, "They alone can solve this problem" highlights that only they have the ability to find a solution.

What phrases are similar to "they alone"?

Similar phrases include "only they", "they exclusively", and "they solely". Each of these options emphasizes the exclusivity of a particular group's involvement.

Is "they alone" formal or informal?

"They alone" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific purpose of the communication. It's common in news, academic writing, and general conversation.

What's the difference between "they alone" and "only them"?

While both phrases convey exclusivity, "they alone" is often perceived as slightly more formal and emphatic than "only them". "They alone" emphasizes the unique capability or responsibility, whereas "only them" simply highlights their exclusive involvement.