grammar · formal
The + only + N + to + V
A reduced relative clause where the infinitive replaces a full relative clause: it states that a person/thing is the only one to do something.
Examples
“She was the only student to submit her essay on time.”
“This is the only method to achieve such accuracy with limited data.”
“He became the only CEO to turn the company around in less than a year.”
Band 8 sentence
“As the only researcher to publish longitudinal data on the cohort, she offered insights that reshaped subsequent policy debates.”
Collocations
- the only student to/ the only company to
- the only way to/ the only person to
Common mistakes
She was the only student who to submit her essay on time.→She was the only student to submit her essay on time.
He was the only people to finish the task.→He was the only person to finish the task.
This is the only way which to improve the system.→This is the only way to improve the system.
Say it for a higher band
5the only + N + who + V→6the only + N + that + V→7+The + only + N + to + V
Synonyms
the only + N + who/that + V
Easily confused
the only + N + who/that + V
“He was the only candidate who passed the interview.”
Related words
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In Relative clauses
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