a single picture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single picture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to one specific image or illustration, often in contexts discussing art, photography, or visual representation. Example: "The artist captured the essence of the landscape in a single picture that tells a thousand stories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It doesn't even have a single picture.

The New York Times - Books

And from it all, perhaps a single picture will emerge.

The Guardian - Tech

"Sentenced to nearly three years in jail for painting a single picture," he added.

The Guardian - Arts

I'd already made a quiet, alienated resolution not to take a single picture on the trip.

The New Yorker

Kurosawa may be the first person to try to cram them all into a single picture.

The New Yorker

The light show flickers down to a single picture, all grainy and glowing.

The Guardian - Music

"But a single picture can only say so much," she told me recently.

The New Yorker

Separate Hubble images of Mars and the comet have been combined into a single picture.

The Guardian

The completion of a single picture turned into a newsworthy event.

The Guardian - Arts

Yes, we can get very attached to a single picture of ourselves.

The Guardian

A month passed, and the next letter arrived with a single picture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene or event, use "a single picture" to emphasize the power of one image to convey a complete story or idea. For instance, "A single picture captured the devastation caused by the hurricane."

Common error

Avoid using "a single picture" repeatedly in the same paragraph or section. Vary your language by using alternatives like "one image" or "a photograph" to maintain reader engagement and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single picture" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'single' modifies 'picture'. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes one particular image and often acts as the subject or object within a sentence. Examples in Ludwig highlight its use in various contexts, from artistic expression to scientific representation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

23%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a single picture" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of one particular image. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While generally neutral in tone, its impact can be amplified through careful word choice and context. When using this phrase, avoid overuse and consider alternative expressions like "one image" or "a lone photograph" to maintain reader engagement. Top sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, reinforcing its reliability and wide acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one image

Replaces the adjective "single" with the numeral "one", slightly emphasizing the numerical aspect.

a lone photograph

Substitutes "picture" with "photograph" and "single" with "lone", conveying a sense of isolation or uniqueness.

a solitary image

Uses "solitary" instead of "single", highlighting the isolated nature of the image.

an individual photo

Replaces "picture" with "photo" and "single" with "individual", emphasizing the distinctness of the photograph.

a unique snapshot

Replaces "picture" with "snapshot" and "single" with "unique", suggesting a particular moment captured.

a sole depiction

Uses "sole" instead of "single" and "depiction" instead of "picture", adding a formal tone.

a stand-alone visual

Replaces "picture" with "visual" and uses "stand-alone" to emphasize the self-contained nature.

a focused portrayal

Suggests the picture emphasizes some specific aspect.

an isolated frame

Emphasizes the contained nature of the image.

a singular representation

Replaces "single" with "singular" and "picture" with "representation", adding a more abstract and formal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "a single picture" to emphasize the impact or representativeness of one image. For example: "A single picture can tell a thousand words."

What are some alternatives to "a single picture"?

Alternatives include "one image", "a lone photograph", or "a solitary image", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "A single picture" might slightly emphasize the uniqueness or representativeness of the image, while "one picture" is more neutral.

What does it mean to say "a single picture is worth a thousand words"?

This idiom means that "a single picture" can convey a complex idea or emotion more effectively than a lengthy description.