I have a master table and I intend to use a left join with LINQ.

Unfortunately the left join multiplies the result (*I need only a top 1 result from that*).

Here comes the problem: **my query should have SQL 8 conformance**.

So when I use the following query:

```
var query = from user in context.User                       
            join group in context.Groups on user.ID equals group.GroupID into groupJoin
            from subGroup in groupJoin.Take(1).DefaultIfEmpty()
            select new 
            {
              Name = user.Name,
              GroupName = subGroup!=null ? subGroup.Name : null
            };

```

I get this exception:

> 
> The execution of this query requires the APPLY operator, which is not
>  supported in versions of SQL Server earlier than SQL Server 2005.
> 
> 
> 

How could I replace my query to have SQL8 conformance?