a single one

USAGE SUMMARY

"a single one" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an individual item or instance. For example: "I had only one cookie left, so I ate a single one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Maybe not a single one.

The New York Times - Books

"And not a single one under statute".

The New York Times

Not a single one remembered any stress.

The New York Times

I never missed a single one".

The Guardian - Books

Not a single one was working.

The New York Times

It's hard to pick a single one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Can you name a single one?

The Guardian - Opinion

We don't lose a single one.

The Guardian

"I can't think of a single one.

The New York Times

I don't recognize a single one.

The Guardian - Books

"Do not leave a single one alive".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a single one" to emphasize the absence or presence of even one item, particularly when the existence of even one is surprising or significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a single one" when a simple "one" is sufficient. For example, prefer "I have one apple" over "I have a single one apple" unless you want to emphasize the scarcity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single one" functions as a quantifier, emphasizing the presence or absence of even just one item. As Ludwig AI suggests, it highlights the singularity, drawing attention to the fact that only one, or not even one, exists. This contrasts with simply stating "one", which is less emphatic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single one" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the presence or absence of just one item. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is very common and widely used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While grammatically sound, overuse in simple counting should be avoided for conciseness. Related phrases include "only one" and "just one", which can be used depending on the desired emphasis. Remember that while it's generally neutral, the overall tone depends on the surrounding context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just one

Focuses on the numerical aspect of having only one, simpler and more direct.

only one

Highlights the exclusivity of having just one, emphasizing that there are no others.

not one

Emphasizes the absence of even a single item or instance.

a solitary one

Emphasizes the isolated nature of the single item.

a unique one

Highlights the distinctiveness of the single item.

an individual one

Focuses on the particularity of a single item.

a lone one

Emphasizes the lack of company or support for the single item.

a singular instance

Replaces "one" with "instance" to focus on a specific occurrence.

a particular instance

Emphasizes that the instance is special or of interest.

a discrete unit

Uses more formal terminology to refer to a separate and distinct entity.

FAQs

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

Use "a single one" to emphasize the presence or absence of even one item or instance, as in, "Not "a single one" of the current candidates opposed the Iraq war."

What phrases are similar to "a single one"?

You can use alternatives like "only one", "just one", or "not one" depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "one" or "a single one"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a single one" emphasizes the singularity and can add emphasis. Using just "one" is often more concise and appropriate for simple counts.

When should I use "a single one" instead of just "one"?

Use "a single one" when you want to highlight that even one instance is significant or surprising, such as "I can't think of "a single one"."