Individually

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Individually" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to each person or item separately rather than collectively. Example: "Individually, each student contributed to the project." Alternative expressions include "separately" and "one by one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"UNHCR considers that individuals who seek asylum must be properly and individually screened for protection needs, in a process which they understand and in which they are able to explain their needs," it said.

The Guardian

Individually, MPs all say that the heckling is a bad thing, but put them in the chamber together and they don't seem to be able to help themselves.

The Guardian

Each apartment is individually designed – one is decorated like an Indian boudoir (sleeps up to four), another has an oriental feel with Japanese "shoji" sliding doors (sleeps up to six), while the penthouse has its own roof garden (sleeps up to nine).

The Guardian - Travel

But on iOS 5 (available across those 200m devices, remember) you just swipe downwards from the menu bar and you get a view on everything that's changed, with granular detail including what emails have come in (so you can go to them individually) or what events there are to deal with and so on.

The Guardian - Tech

First, it is working to build its "ground operations" so activists can engage voters on doorsteps individually.

The Guardian

Update: please note that due to the large volume of response we may not be able to get back to everyone individually.

The Guardian

Rev Paul Nicolson Taxpayers Against Poverty The individually distinguished Core Cities UK Cabinet members are making one bad mistake on devolution.

The Guardian

"It's up to everybody individually," he tells me.

The Guardian

Journalists were called out individually to enter the court building and had to sign in before taking a seat in court.

The Guardian

In such cases not every deletion will be marked individually, as this then clutters the comments.

The Guardian

In the union section of the electoral college, representing a third of the college, union political levy payers vote individually, on ballots requiring them to tick a box saying they support Labour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "individually", ensure that the context clearly contrasts a collective or group action with the separate action being performed by each member of the group. This clarifies the specific focus on individual contributions or experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "individually" when the context already implies a separate or one-by-one action. For instance, saying "each person individually received a prize" is redundant; "each person received a prize" is more concise and clear.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "individually" modifies verbs or clauses, emphasizing that an action is performed separately by each member of a group. Ludwig's examples show its role in specifying how actions are carried out, such as examining cases or controlling streetlights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "individually" functions as an adverb that clarifies separate actions performed by members of a group. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. To enhance clarity, use "individually" to specify separate actions and avoid redundancy in contexts where separation is already implied. Alternatives like "separately" or "one by one" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, understanding the proper context for "individually" ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Separately

Focuses on the action of being apart or not together, emphasizing the distinction between items.

On an individual basis

Emphasizes the personalized approach to dealing with something.

One by one

Emphasizes a sequential action, dealing with items in a specific order.

Singly

Highlights the action of dealing with only one item at a time.

Personally

Indicates an action done by oneself, emphasizing personal involvement.

Severally

Indicates separate and distinct actions or responsibilities.

Each

Focuses on every single item or person in a group.

Independently

Emphasizes autonomy and lack of external control.

By oneself

Highlights the action of doing something alone, without assistance.

Specifically

Highlights the focus on particular or precise item.

FAQs

How can I use "Individually" in a sentence?

"Individually" is used to emphasize that something is done separately or by each member of a group. For example, "The students individually presented their projects to the class."

What can I say instead of "Individually"?

You can use alternatives like "separately", "singly", or "on an individual basis" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Each student received a certificate" or "Each student individually received a certificate"?

"Each student received a certificate" is generally preferred because it's more concise. Adding "individually" can be redundant unless you need to emphasize the separate nature of the action.

What's the difference between "Individually" and "Personally"?

"Individually" emphasizes that something is done by each member separately, while "personally" indicates that something is done by oneself, often implying a personal involvement or action.