true only for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "true only for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify that a statement or condition applies exclusively to certain cases or situations. Example: "This theorem is true only for prime numbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that was true only for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

By the way, this is true only for quartz watches.

Harvard Business Review

That is true only for the sections created by the model authors' own code.

Yale University

This is true only for irregular riders, not for those holding regular weekly transportation cards.

The New Yorker

This was true only for old SCCs, while no correlation was found for young SCCs.

Nature

Why that should be true only for this particular biotype is unknown.

The Economist

This is true only for the little guys without sufficient resources.

The Economist

The maximum of the capacitance coincides with the p.z.c., but it is true only for this 'symmetric' system.

Electrochimica Acta

"Only 10percenttoto having access to medical care" is surely true only for a relatively wealthy population.

University of California, Berkeley

In 1817 they showed that Newton's law of cooling was true only for small differences in temperature.

Britannica

It appears that solution of the electroneutral equilibrium represents a narrow class of solutions and is true only for certain relations between the parameters of the problem.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "true only for", ensure that the conditions or cases to which the statement applies are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Use it to make statements more precise.

Common error

Avoid assuming a statement is universally true when it's "true only for" specific situations. Explicitly state the limitations to prevent readers from misinterpreting the scope of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "true only for" functions as a qualifier or limiter, specifying the precise conditions under which a statement or assertion is valid. This is reflected in Ludwig's examples, where the phrase restricts applicability to particular scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

29%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "true only for" serves as a crucial tool for precise communication, particularly in contexts demanding accuracy and clarity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a qualifier, restricting the validity of a statement to specific conditions. Its frequency across various fields underscores its importance in preventing overgeneralization and ensuring accurate interpretation. When using "true only for", it's vital to clearly define the conditions or cases to which the statement applies. In essence, "true only for" is a signal for readers, indicating that care should be taken in understanding the specified limitations of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid exclusively for

Focuses on the validity being restricted, emphasizing that the statement doesn't apply elsewhere.

applicable solely to

Highlights that the statement's application is limited to a specific subset.

accurate specifically for

Emphasizes that the accuracy is confined to certain instances.

holds precisely for

Indicates that the statement is true under very specific conditions with no deviation.

correct under circumstances of

Specifies conditions under which the statement is correct.

restricted to

Highlights that the statement's scope is intentionally limited.

only the case with

Indicates uniqueness of its applicability

legitimate within realm of

Implies a specified context or domain of applicability.

applies when

Simple rewording highlighting when the statement is applicable.

works exclusively in cases of

Emphasizes the exclusive nature of the statement's effectiveness under certain circumstances.

FAQs

How do I use "true only for" in a sentence?

Use "true only for" to specify conditions under which a statement is valid. For example, "This rule is "true only for" even numbers" indicates the rule applies exclusively to even numbers.

What are some alternatives to "true only for"?

Alternatives include "valid exclusively for", "applicable solely to", or "accurate specifically for", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "true only for" or "only true for"?

"True only for" is generally preferred for clarity and emphasis on the condition being the determining factor. "Only true for" is also acceptable, but can sometimes sound less formal.

What's the difference between "true only for" and "partially true for"?

"True only for" indicates that a statement is exclusively valid under specific conditions. In contrast, "partially true for" suggests that the statement holds some truth but may not be entirely accurate or complete even under those conditions.