solely

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   Only, with nothing or nobody else involved.

   Grammar: Goes before the word it limits: solely responsible, solely for fun.

   Patterns

   • solely responsible for something
   • solely because of something
   • solely on something

   The manager is solely responsible for the budget.

   He took the job solely because of the salary.

   The decision rests solely with the board.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   By one person or thing alone, without help.

   Grammar: Often used with depend or rely.

   Patterns

   • rely solely on something
   • depend solely on something

   The village relies solely on rainwater.

   She financed the project solely out of her own savings.

Common combinations

solely responsible

The driver was solely responsible for the accident.

rely solely on

Do not rely solely on one source.

solely for

The room is used solely for storage.

solely because

She came solely because her friend asked.

based solely on

The prize is awarded based solely on merit.

Synonyms and how they differ

only

Only is the everyday word, and solely is more formal and stronger.

exclusively

Exclusively stresses that all others are shut out, and fits rules and offers.

purely

Purely suggests nothing else is mixed in, often about motives.

merely

Merely suggests something is small or unimportant, which solely does not.

Opposites

Word family

sole adjective

only, or single

solitary adjective

alone or single

Commonly confused: solely or soul?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “solely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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