a single assailant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single assailant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing crime, violence, or attacks where only one perpetrator is involved. Example: "The police reported that the robbery was carried out by a single assailant who fled the scene on foot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The tidy appearance of Ms. Moore-Bosko's apartment and the pattern of her wounds also suggested a single assailant.

The New York Times

The tidy appearance of Ms. Moore-Bosko's apartment and pattern of her wounds suggested a single assailant, not seven, as the police originally contended.

The New York Times

Palme was shot by a single assailant in central Stockholm on the evening of February 28 1986, while walking home from the cinema with his wife Lisbeth.

The Guardian

BOSTON — Investigators here are exploring whether a single assailant is responsible for three late-night attacks, all in hotel rooms, on women who had advertised massage services on Craigslist, the classified advertising Web site.

The New York Times

The state's medical examiner testified in the cases that went to trial that the wounds were consistent with a single assailant, although it was "possible" more than one person was involved.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, in Kabul, senior American diplomats said in private meetings with other allied officials what they have been insisting in public: that the shootings were carried out by a single assailant who was now in the custody of United States forces, according to American officials privy to the conversations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Even if a defendant is justified in using deadly physical force at the beginning of a single, ongoing encounter with an assailant," the court said, "his right to use that force terminates at the point he can no longer reasonably believe the assailant still poses a threat to him".

The New York Times

In another case, the complaint claims, the university refused to explain to one victim the reasoning behind its suspension of her assailant for a single semester -- a punishment she felt was too light.

Huffington Post

In the transition leading up to South Africa's first elections with black voters in 1994, Mbeki was locked in a power struggle with some of the A.N.C.'s most charismatic characters, including Cyril Ramaphosa and Chris Hani (who was gunned down in his driveway by right-wing assailants before a single vote was cast).

The New York Times - Books

More specifically, he might want to examine how the state's theory evolved from a crime committed by a single perpetrator to one involving two assailants, then three, six, seven and finally eight men who the state says took turns raping and stabbing the 18-year-old victim.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was killed by a single shot to the head, and her assailant escaped.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on incidents involving "a single assailant", ensure your language remains neutral and objective to avoid bias. Focus on facts and avoid sensationalizing the event.

Common error

Avoid replacing "a single assailant" with overly complex or verbose alternatives. Simplicity often enhances clarity in writing. Using words like 'only' or 'just one' is redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single assailant" primarily functions as a noun phrase, specifically an object or subject in a sentence, describing an individual who commits an act of violence. As supported by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a single assailant" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression that refers to one person who carries out an attack. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news reporting and legal settings. While not exceedingly common, it is readily understood and can be replaced by alternatives such as "one attacker" or "lone attacker" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When writing, maintain a neutral tone and avoid overcomplicating the phrase to ensure clarity. Remember, the phrase is most frequently found in News and Media and Scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one assailant

Simplifies the phrase by removing the article "a", direct and concise.

one attacker

Replaces "assailant" with a more common synonym; simpler wording.

lone attacker

Emphasizes the solitary nature of the attacker; adds slight emphasis.

sole perpetrator

More formal and legalistic; emphasizes the individual's responsibility.

individual attacker

Highlights the singularity of the attacker, focusing on their individual actions.

solitary attacker

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the attacker.

single aggressor

Replaces "assailant" with "aggressor", focusing on the act of aggression.

an individual perpetrator

More formal, emphasizing the person and the act they perpetrated.

a solo attacker

A more modern, slightly less formal way of saying "a single assailant".

lone wolf

Informal term implying a solitary and independent attacker.

FAQs

What does "a single assailant" mean?

The phrase "a single assailant" refers to one person who attacks or assaults another. It emphasizes that the action was carried out by only one individual.

What are some alternatives to "a single assailant"?

You can use alternatives such as "one attacker", "lone attacker", or "sole perpetrator" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a single assailant"?

Yes, "a single assailant" is grammatically correct. The article "a" is correctly used with the singular noun "assailant", and "single" modifies the noun to specify the number of attackers.

In what contexts is "a single assailant" typically used?

The phrase "a single assailant" is commonly used in news reports, legal documents, and academic articles when describing crimes or violent acts involving one attacker. It can also be used in any context where it's necessary to specify that only one person was involved in an assault.