era el único que

was the only one who

→ ser

phrase Rare #28,814

was the only one who Used to say that one person alone did something, knew something, or had a certain quality. The phrase often introduces a relative clause, as in 'era el único que + verb'.

SP: Tom era el único que sabía prender fuego sin fósforos.

EN: Tom was the only one who knew how to start a fire without matches.

Porque Jackie era el único que podía decir lo contrario.

Because Jackie was the only one who could say otherwise.

— Mike y Nick y Nick y Alice (2026)

Yyo no era el único que tenía toda la atención.

And I wasn't the only one getting all the attention.

— American Splendor (2003)

Tom no era el único que sonreía.

Tom wasn't the only one smiling.

No era el único que no conocía a Tom.

I wasn't the only one who didn't know Tom.

Tom era el único que estaba dispuesto a abordar el delicado tema.

Tom was the only one willing to address the delicate subject.

Él era el único que no era una máquina.

He was the only one who wasn't a machine.

— 3 Idiots (2009)

Tom era el único que sabía prender fuego sin fósforos.

Tom was the only one who knew how to start a fire without matches.

Tom se dio cuenta de que era el único que podía salvarle a Mary.

Tom realized that he was the only one who could save Mary.

Tom era el único que confiaba en María.

Tom was the only one who trusted Maria.

Tom era el único que respetaba a Mary.

Tom was the only one who respected Mary.