a single phone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single phone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to one specific phone, often in contrast to multiple phones or when emphasizing the singularity of the item. Example: "I only need a single phone for my travels, as I want to keep things simple."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A single phone call ties up an entire network circuit.

The New York Times

Dodi's life had come down to a single phone call.

The Guardian

In addition, there will be a single phone system.

The New York Times

Tinker started with four partners and a single phone.

The New Yorker

It can work through a single phone call to a dear old friend.

The Economist

That means they can seal big deals with a single phone call.

The Economist

Deprived of even a single phone call, he cannot tell Kathy what has happened.

The Guardian - Books

But it all began with a single phone call on a winter afternoon.

The New York Times

They never visited or exchanged a single phone call during their four years of college.

The New York Times

McDonough's new girlfriend was capable of spending thousands on catalog clothing in a single phone call.

The New York Times - Magazine

With a single phone call, he lured openside flanker Martyn Williams out of retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the necessity of having only one phone, use "a single phone" to clearly convey the idea of simplicity or limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "a single phone" when "a phone" is sufficient. The word "single" should add emphasis to the fact that there is only one item, not just describe the item.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single phone" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific object (a phone) while also emphasizing its singularity. As shown in Ludwig, it is often used to contrast with multiple phones or highlight the simplicity of using just one.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a single phone" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize that only one phone is being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its purpose is to specify the quantity and often to highlight simplicity or limitation. It is used in a neutral register, commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts. Related phrases include "only one phone" and "just one phone". When using the phrase, ensure that the emphasis on 'single' is necessary and avoids redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only one phone

Focuses on the quantity, emphasizing that there isn't more than one.

just one phone

Adds a sense of simplicity and limitation to having one phone.

a solitary phone

Emphasizes the loneliness or isolation of the single phone.

one individual phone

Highlights the uniqueness and separateness of a particular phone.

a unique phone

Implies the phone is special or unlike others.

a lone phone

Suggests the phone is without any companion phones.

a stand-alone phone

Indicates the phone operates independently.

a sole phone

Emphasizes that it is the only phone available.

a basic phone

Highlights that the phone is simple or lacks advanced features.

a spare phone

Suggests the phone is kept as an extra or backup.

FAQs

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

You can use "a single phone" to emphasize having only one phone, such as "For this trip, I'm only bringing "a single phone"".

What's the difference between "a single phone" and "one phone"?

While both refer to only one phone, "a single phone" emphasizes the fact that there's only one, whereas "one phone" is a more neutral statement.

Is it correct to say "a single phones"?

No, the correct phrase is "a single phone". The word 'single' implies that the noun is singular.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "only one phone", "just one phone", or "a basic phone".