a single record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single record" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to one specific entry or piece of data in a collection, such as a database or a list. Example: "The database contains multiple entries, but I only need to retrieve a single record for my report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are two writs of error, but a single record.

Cornell University

The user can merge these duplicates into a single record via a web interface.

University of California, Berkeley

The key difference being that most of the places have literally never sold a single record.

The Guardian - Music

For bowhead whales specifically, there is currently only a single record available through OBIS (http://www.iobis.org).org

Nature

None of the agencies have provided a single record in response to the request, according to the clinic.

Yale University

Last year, knowing he was dying, he returned to Paris to record a single record of 12 songs.

The Guardian

And consumers may have trouble compiling the data from various health care providers into a single record, he said.

The New York Times - Tech

Since radio is no longer a place to push a single, record companies have turned to television and movies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some release compilations of student bands; others find an artist and devote a semester to working a single record.

The New York Times

In practice, a large fund that represents hundreds or thousands of individuals can be considered a single record holder.

The New York Times

The Submit button brings a Select list of records that satisfy your specifications or a single record if only one satisfies those constraints.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When working with databases or datasets, use "a single record" to clearly specify operations or analyses focused on individual entries. This avoids ambiguity and ensures precision in technical documentation and reports.

Common error

Avoid using "a single record" when simpler alternatives like "one record" or "an entry" suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or technical in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single record" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific, individual entry within a larger collection of data. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

22%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single record" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, particularly in scientific, academic, and news contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for clearly specifying an individual entry within a larger dataset. When writing, remember that while it's generally interchangeable with alternatives like "one record", overuse can make your writing sound overly formal. Consider the context and choose the option that best fits your intended tone and audience. Common usage patterns show its high frequency in scientific publications and news articles, as highlighted by the many Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one entry

Replaces 'single' with 'one' and 'record' with 'entry', focusing on the individual item within a collection.

an individual item

Highlights the uniqueness and separateness of the record within a larger dataset.

a solitary instance

Emphasizes the rareness or isolation of the record, suitable when the record is unique.

a unique data point

Focuses on the aspect of data and its singular nature, relevant in analytical contexts.

a sole document

Highlights that there is only one document.

a lone occurrence

Emphasizes that there is one occurence of something.

just one listing

Highlights that there is only one item on a list.

a singular piece of data

Focuses on the aspect of data and its singular nature.

a specific log

Emphasizes that there is only one log.

an isolated fact

Highlights the isolated nature of a piece of data.

FAQs

How to use "a single record" in a sentence?

You can use "a single record" to refer to one specific entry in a database, dataset, or collection. For example, "The query returned "a single record" matching the specified criteria."

What can I say instead of "a single record"?

You can use alternatives like "one entry", "an individual item", or "a solitary instance depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Which is correct, "a single record" or "one record"?

Both "a single record" and "one record" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "A single record" may emphasize the uniqueness or isolation of the entry, while "one record" is generally more straightforward.

What's the difference between "a single record" and "a data point"?

"A single record" typically refers to a complete entry in a dataset or database, containing multiple fields or attributes. "A data point" is a more general term that can refer to any individual piece of information, which may or may not constitute a full record.