working solely

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "working solely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is working alone, without the help of other people. For example: "The engineer was working solely on the project for weeks, until the team was finally assembled and could help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What are the drawbacks to working solely online?

The Guardian

The artist first visited London in 2005 when he was still working solely on canvas.

Independent

The president has lost the option of working solely through fellow Democrats.

The New York Times

In an interview with Reuters this week, Mr. Haqqani said he was working solely in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

There is now a dedicated member of staff working solely on policing issues within the safe cities team.

The Guardian

The most skilled workers in these professions consider themselves facilitators, working solely to enable other people to achieve.

The Guardian

Working solely from this data, computer and human must each write a review of the season for a given club.

The Guardian - Tech

Taking the challenge, Wendell spent 20 minutes in the bullpen that day, working solely on that move.

The New York Times - Sports

Student numbers are for full-time undergraduates; staff numbers include all except those working solely in research.

The Guardian

The workforce could continue working solely for Fairbrother Builders full time and it could continue to direct their work as before.

The Guardian - Business

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

Use "working solely" to clearly indicate that an individual or group is performing a task or activity without assistance or collaboration. This helps avoid ambiguity and emphasizes self-reliance.

Common error

Avoid using "working solely" when the individual or group is part of a larger team or project, even if they have specific independent responsibilities. Instead, clarify the specific role or tasks they handle independently.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working solely" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As illustrated by Ludwig, it clarifies that an activity is conducted independently, without assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working solely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes independence and lack of collaboration in performing a task. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a gerund phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate the manner of action. While its register is generally neutral, it finds frequent application in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the self-reliant aspect of someone's work and avoid it when describing collaborative efforts. Consider alternatives such as "operating exclusively" or "functioning independently" to fine-tune the specific shade of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating exclusively

Focuses on the exclusive nature of the operation or activity.

functioning independently

Highlights the autonomous nature of the work.

acting alone

Emphasizes the lack of collaboration.

performing singularly

Highlights the individual effort.

undertaking single-handedly

Stresses the self-reliance in completing the task.

handling exclusively

Implies exclusive control or management.

managing autonomously

Focuses on the self-governed aspect of the management.

doing independently

Highlights the independent nature of the action.

executing separately

Emphasizes the separated execution of the work.

pursuing individually

Highlights the personal approach to pursuing a goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "working solely" to indicate that someone is performing a task or activity alone. For instance, "The researcher was working solely on the data analysis" or "The artist is working solely with recycled materials".

What are some alternatives to "working solely"?

Alternatives include "operating exclusively", "functioning independently", or "acting alone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "working solely" or "working alone"?

"Working solely" and "working alone" are similar, but "working solely" often emphasizes exclusivity and dedication to a particular task, while "working alone" simply denotes a lack of companionship. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does "working solely" imply about collaboration?

"Working solely" implies a lack of collaboration or assistance from others. It suggests that the individual or group is responsible for all aspects of the task or activity without outside support.