solely
adv.only and not involving anyone or anything else. You use this to show that there is just one reason, person, or thing involved.
adv.exclusively or only; to the exclusion of all else.
“She is solely responsible for the project's success.”
“The decision was based solely on the evidence presented during the trial, ignoring any outside rumors.”
“While the committee considered several factors, the final selection was determined solely by the candidate's previous experience in international law.”
Typically placed before the adjective, adverb, or prepositional phrase it modifies; it can also follow the verb 'to be'.
When modifying a verb to mean 'only', it often sounds more natural at the end of the clause or immediately before the specific detail it limits.
Usage solely attribute · solely base · solely concentrate
“The trio is the first part of a planned network of 50 satellites built solely to spot wildfires while they are still small enough to stop.”
“Not everyone is driven solely by Trump's treatment of Canada, with some noting that the declining Canadian dollar has also made the US less affordable.”
Common in science writing
From Middle English soly, sooly, soolly, equivalent to sole + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.