was only one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was only one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there was a singular instance or occurrence of something in a particular context. Example: "In the entire competition, there was only one participant who achieved a perfect score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There was only one.

The New Yorker

It was only one game.

The Guardian - Sport

There was only one winner.

The Guardian - Money

There was only one hitch.

The Washington Post

There was only one Irwin.

The New York Times

He was only one man.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

There's only one problem.

Cornell University

This is only one story.

Cornell University

There is only one instance.

University of California, Berkeley

There is only one medicine.

Harvard University

"Medicine is only one tool.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was only one", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'one' refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was only one" when you actually mean "was the only one". The former implies singularity in quantity, while the latter suggests exclusivity or uniqueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was only one" functions as a determiner phrase, typically serving to modify a noun or pronoun. It indicates singularity and emphasizes that there was just a single instance of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was only one" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize singularity or a minimal quantity. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what the 'one' refers to and whether you truly intend to convey quantity rather than exclusivity. Consider alternatives like ""was just one"" or ""was solely one"" for subtle differences in meaning. Although the register is generally neutral, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was just a single

Replaces "only" with "just a single", emphasizing the singularity.

was solely a

Emphasizes that something was exclusively one thing.

it comprised just one

Focuses on the composition of something, indicating it included only one element.

amounted to only a single

Highlights that the total reached a minimal quantity.

represented merely one

Suggests that something was just a small part of a larger whole.

constituted a mere

Uses more formal language to express that something was small or insignificant.

was uniquely a solitary

Strengthens the idea of singleness through redundancy.

there existed simply one

Adds a touch of formality by using "existed" instead of "was".

featured uniquely a single

Emphasizes that something was a unique instance.

consisted of but one

Uses more archaic language to convey the idea of only one.

FAQs

How can I use "was only one" in a sentence?

You can use "was only one" to indicate a singular instance or occurrence of something, for example, "There "was only one" remaining cookie on the plate".

What is a synonym for "was only one"?

Alternatives include "was just one", "was solely one", or "was merely one" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was only one" or should I use another phrasing?

The phrase "was only one" is grammatically correct. However, consider if "was the only one" might be more appropriate if you intend to convey exclusivity rather than just a singular quantity.

What is the difference between "was only one" and "was the only one"?

"Was only one" emphasizes the quantity of one, while "was the only one" stresses uniqueness or exclusivity. For example, "There "was only one" apple left" versus "She "was the only one" who knew the answer".