a single sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to one specific meaning or interpretation of a word, phrase, or concept. Example: "In this context, the term has a single sense that is clear and unambiguous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Touch is commonly thought of as a single sense, but it is much more complex than that.

The Guardian

There does not seem to be a single sense in which soap operas can be construed as an escapist form.

The New Yorker

As the 18th-century French gastronome Brillat-Savarin put it, "Smell and taste form a single sense, of which the mouth is the laboratory and the nose is the chimney". Lavender brings this theory to life.

The New York Times - Food

Over time, a child's environment reinforces connections between certain stimuli and specific regions of the brain, eliminating the superfluous pathways to create cortical areas that specialize in processing a single sense.

The New Yorker

It could be that it has a single sense that is differently interpreted, or used to convey different information, depending on the context in which the containing sentence is produced.

Britannica

As the 18th-century French gastronome Brillat-Savarin put it, "Smell and taste form a single sense, of which the mouth is the laboratory and the nose is the chimney".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Today, this revolution gains pace because Gang Huang and pals from Bell Labs in New Jersey say they've used compressive sensing to build a camera that needs no lens and uses only a single sensing pixel to take photographs.

MIT Technology Review

In this sense, it is representative of a star topology, as each intermediate relay is connected to a single sensing unit.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

More precisely, we can represent a single sensing channel in the form of: m ( r m, t ) = H ( t ) ∗ ∑ l = 1 19 S ( r o l, t ).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This raises a simple question: for a given motion signal, whether it is possible to incorporate the direct acquisition and compression into a single sensing process by certain physical coder.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Interestingly, DR0615 has a single sensing cysteine residue (C210), compared with other organisms.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a single sense", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to one of the five senses, a unified purpose, or a solitary meaning of a term.

Common error

Avoid using "a single sense" when the intended meaning is ambiguous. Always ensure clarity, especially when discussing abstract concepts or sensory experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single sense" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it is grammatically correct and used in various contexts, serving to specify one particular meaning, purpose, or sensation. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in describing sensory experiences, unified goals, and distinct interpretations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a single sense" is grammatically sound and serves to emphasize a specific meaning, purpose, or sensation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, from scientific literature to news articles. While the phrase is considered uncommon, its usage is versatile. When writing, ensure that the context clarifies whether you’re referring to one of the five senses, a unified purpose, or a solitary meaning of a term. Be mindful of potential ambiguity and consider using more specific alternatives, such as "a unique perspective" or "a solitary sensation", if necessary. Some authoritative sources using the expression are The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single perception

Focuses on individual awareness or understanding.

a unified understanding

Implies a comprehensive and coherent comprehension.

a single impression

Emphasizes a particular feeling or notion formed.

a single interpretation

Highlights one specific way of explaining something.

a unique perspective

Suggests an exclusive or distinctive viewpoint.

a solitary sensation

Focuses on a lone sensory experience.

a distinct feeling

Emphasizes a clear and noticeable emotion.

a shared understanding

Highlights a consensus or agreement in comprehension.

a common understanding

Indicates a widely accepted comprehension.

a solitary meaning

Focuses on a single and isolated significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a single sense" to describe a unified purpose, such as "They approached the task with "a single purpose"." Alternatively, it can refer to one of the five senses or a solitary meaning.

What phrases are similar to "a single sense"?

Similar phrases include "a single perception", "a unified understanding", and "a solitary meaning", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a single sense" in formal writing?

Yes, "a single sense" is appropriate in formal writing as long as its meaning is clear and aligns with the context. Ensure the surrounding text provides enough information to avoid ambiguity.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a single sense"?

Avoid using "a single sense" if it could be misinterpreted or if a more specific term would provide greater clarity. For example, use "a unique perspective" or "a solitary sensation" to avoid vagueness.