were the only ones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were the only ones" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "We were the only ones brave enough to accept the challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were the only ones on the dunes," she says.

The Guardian - Travel

They were the only ones on board who could swim.

The Guardian - Sport

We were the only ones on the road.

The New Yorker

The US G-SIBs' plans were the only ones due on July 1 , 2017

Columbia University

We were the only ones.

The Guardian - Travel

They were the only ones out there.

The New York Times

But we were the only ones there.

The New York Times

"We were the only ones with space.

The New York Times

They were the only ones to cancel.

The New York Times

"They thought they were the only ones".

The Guardian

they were the only ones who mattered.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were the only ones" to clearly indicate exclusivity or a unique position. This phrase is effective when you want to emphasize that a specific group or individual was alone in taking an action or possessing a characteristic.

Common error

Avoid using "was the only ones" when referring to a plural subject. The correct form is "were the only ones". Remember that "were" is the plural form of the verb "to be" in the past tense.

Linguistic Context

Were the only ones functions as a restrictive appositive, limiting the scope of a noun phrase. It indicates that the subjects being discussed are unique in performing an action, experiencing a condition, or possessing a characteristic. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were the only ones" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, primarily used to emphasize exclusivity or uniqueness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with a plural subject and conveys the intended message of distinctiveness. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "were the sole individuals" or "stood alone", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This expression is a versatile and reliable tool for accentuating the singular nature of an action, characteristic, or entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were the only participants

Replaces "ones" with a term that explicitly refers to people taking part in something

were the sole individuals

Replaces "only ones" with a more formal and explicit term for people.

remained the exclusive group

Emphasizes exclusivity by specifying a group that is the only one involved.

were the unique entities

Substitutes "only ones" with a term emphasizing uniqueness and generality, suitable for non-human subjects.

existed as the exclusive few

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the rarity and select nature of the group.

were the solitary figures

Focuses on the isolation and singularity of the individuals.

stood alone

Conveys the idea of being the only ones by highlighting their solitary position.

were the exceptional cases

Emphasizes that they deviated from the norm and were the only exceptions.

were the lone actors

Uses a term that implies sole agency and responsibility.

were the single party

Highlights that they acted as a lone unit.

FAQs

How can I use "were the only ones" in a sentence?

Use "were the only ones" to emphasize that a particular group or individual was unique in a certain situation. For example, "They were the only ones who volunteered to help".

What phrases are similar to "were the only ones"?

Similar phrases include "were the sole individuals", "remained the exclusive group", or "stood alone", all conveying a sense of exclusivity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was the only ones"?

No, "was the only ones" is grammatically incorrect when referring to a plural subject. The correct phrasing is "were the only ones". The verb "were" agrees with plural subjects.

What’s the difference between "were the only ones" and "were the only people"?

"Were the only ones" is a more general statement that can apply to groups, objects, or concepts, while "were the only people" specifically refers to individuals. The choice depends on the context.