work solely

USAGE SUMMARY

"work solely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the idea that someone is focusing only on one particular task or set of tasks. For example, "I am going to work solely on my project for the rest of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The best people never work solely for money.

Harvard Business Review

Interestingly, of the 2,300 journalists who work solely online, nearly 20% are minority.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The survey also shows that judges do not carry out the work solely for the money.

The Guardian

I left the group in 1991 to work solely on research and treatment issues.

The New York Times - Science

Today in America, large parts of the police force work solely on enforcing evictions.

The Guardian - Books

The system is closed: Nintendo's games work solely on Nintendo devices.

The Economist

And, he added, the prize is for work solely in 2009.

The New York Times

But keen to work solely on documentaries, he returned to Elstree in 1972.

Independent

After all, bankers do not sign up for an MBA to work solely on financial projections.

The Economist

We believe the marriage didn't work solely because of my brother's actions.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pixar has worked solely with computer-generated animation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work solely", ensure that the context clearly indicates the single area of focus. This helps avoid ambiguity and emphasizes the dedication to that specific task or area.

Common error

Avoid using "work solely" when the focus is not truly exclusive. Using it inaccurately can mislead readers into thinking there is a singular focus when other factors are also involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work solely" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the exclusive manner in which an action is performed. As stated by Ludwig AI, it suggests that efforts are directed only towards a specific task or area, with no other diversions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work solely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey exclusive dedication to a specific task or area, according to Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing concentration and commitment. While versatile across various registers, it's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig shows, understanding its proper usage ensures clarity and avoids misinterpretations about the scope of effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work exclusively

Focuses on the idea of doing something only in one particular way or with one specific entity, emphasizing the lack of alternatives.

work only

Directly states that the action is limited to a specific area or method, leaving no room for other possibilities.

perform exclusively

Highlights that a task or duty is carried out only in a particular way or for a specific reason.

work entirely

Emphasizes the completeness of dedication to a particular task or purpose, highlighting that no other activity is involved.

work purely

Implies that the motivation or basis for working is singular and untainted by other considerations.

focus exclusively

Implies directing all attention and resources towards a single area or objective.

operate solely

Highlights that an entity functions using only one specific method or within a single domain.

function solely

Focuses on the single purpose or mechanism through which something operates.

concentrate exclusively

Highlights the act of focusing one's mental efforts on a single subject or activity.

dedicate oneself entirely

Emphasizes a complete commitment of time and effort to a specific task or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "work solely" in a sentence?

You can use "work solely" to indicate exclusive focus, as in, "The researcher will "work solely" on data analysis for the next month."

What are some alternatives to "work solely"?

Alternatives include "work exclusively", "work entirely", or "focus exclusively", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "working solely"?

Yes, "working solely" is grammatically correct. It is the present participle form and can be used in continuous tenses, for example, "She is "working solely" on the project this week."

What's the difference between "work solely" and "work primarily"?

"Work solely" implies exclusive dedication, while "work primarily" suggests a main focus but allows for other activities or areas of involvement. For example, "He will "work solely" on marketing" means he does nothing else, but "He will work primarily on marketing" means it's his main job, but he has other responsibilities.