a single award

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single award" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to one specific award given for a particular achievement or recognition. Example: "She received a single award for her outstanding contributions to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Together, all the first three films were nominated for a total of 11 Academy Awards, of which a single award was won.

Wikipedia

At the 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, it was one of two Indonesian works to compete, winning a single award from a single nomination.

Wikipedia

It was not nominated for a single award.

The New York Times

Heavy-metal and hard-rock bands, for instance, now compete for a single award.

The New York Times - Arts

The annual direct costs for a single award are capped at $75,000 per year.

Columbia University

The Crossword was initially conceived as a single award for a work of fiction written in English by an Indian citizen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

(Swift received a fourth 2014 Grammy nomination for "Highway Don't Care," a collaboration with Tim McGraw and Keith Urban). She did not win an single award on Sunday night.

HuffPost

Instead of schools being able to choose between competing GCSEs in these subjects, a competition will be held to identify the best, single suite of qualifications in each subject offered by a single Awarding Organisation.

The Guardian

(Here's how the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences defines a miniseries: "A miniseries is based on a single theme or story line, which is resolved within the piece. In a single awards year, all of the parts must be presented under the same title and have continuity of production supervision").

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The GAO ruled against Oracle last month stating, "…the Defense Department's decision to pursue a single-award approach to obtain these cloud services is consistent with applicable statutes (and regulations) because the agency reasonably determined that a single-award approach is in the government's best interests for various reasons, including national security concerns, as the statute allows".

TechCrunch

In particular, Jackson was disappointed that he had won only a single Grammy Award at the 1980 Grammys, a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing uniqueness, consider using "a single award" to highlight that only one such distinction was given.

Common error

Avoid using "a single award" when referring to multiple components within a larger award system. Clarify if it's one award out of many, or the only award given.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single award" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It denotes the act of bestowing a singular honor or recognition, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a single award" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. According to Ludwig, it denotes the act of bestowing a singular honor or recognition, often to emphasize the exclusivity or unique nature of the recognition. It's commonly found in News & Media and Academia, and has a neutral register which means that it can be used in both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, consider context and be clear if you are referring to one award out of many, or the only award given.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just one award

Emphasizes the quantity with 'just one'.

one individual prize

Replaces 'award' with 'prize' and uses 'individual' to emphasize singularity.

a solitary honor

Substitutes 'award' with 'honor' and 'single' with 'solitary' for a more emphatic tone.

a unique distinction

Replaces 'award' with 'distinction' and highlights the special nature of the award.

a lone recognition

Uses 'recognition' instead of 'award' and 'lone' for 'single', adding a sense of isolation.

a singular reward

Replaces 'award' with 'reward' to focus on what has been earned.

a singular achievement

Focuses on the achievement being recognized rather than the award itself.

an exclusive accolade

Replaces 'award' with 'accolade', suggesting prestige and exclusivity.

a sole commendation

Uses 'commendation' to highlight a formal expression of praise or approval

a single grant

This is useful when 'award' can be replaced with 'grant'.

FAQs

How can I use "a single award" in a sentence?

You can use "a single award" to describe a situation where only one prize or recognition is given for a specific achievement. For example, "The organization presented "a single award" for outstanding community service".

What are some alternatives to saying "a single award"?

Alternatives include "one individual prize", "a solitary honor", or "a unique distinction" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an single award" instead of "a single award"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrasing is "a single award". The article "a" is used before consonant sounds.

When is it appropriate to use "a single award" versus "multiple awards"?

"A single award" is appropriate when only one award is given for a specific accomplishment or category. "Multiple awards" should be used when there are several awards presented in different categories or for various achievements.