a single sight

USAGE SUMMARY

"a single sight" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a single, memorable view or sight (e.g. a sunset, a landscape, etc.). For example, "The single sight of the beautiful sunset was enough to take her breath away."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For TRIM58, we find a cluster of positively selected sites in the B30.2 domain and a single sight highlighted in the Coiled-Coil domain.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I watched the screen with my eyes darting all over the place, not wanting to miss a single sight-gag.

The Guardian - Film

Investigators have failed to confirm a single sighting and the descriptions have varied in detail.

The Guardian

It is readily offset by not a single sighting of the 14-times major winner on a course.

The Guardian - Sport

One car had a single sighting: it was parked on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 12 40 in the morning last December.

Forbes

There have been no unicorn spottings here, not a single sighting of a leprechaun -- we don't even have a box of Lucky Charms in the house (partially because food coloring "magically" turns both of our kids into maniacs).

HuffPost

Capture history matrices were constructed from the re-sighting histories of individual seals, with multiple re-sights within a year treated as a single sighting.

BMC Ecology

There isn't a single pot of pills in sight.

The Guardian - Travel

During cetacean sighting surveys off Angola between 2003 and 2006, only a single confirmed sighting of two individuals was made in August 2004, compared to 19 sightings of Bryde's whales.

Wikipedia

Outside of a single reported sighting of Bishop the next day in Jacksonville, N.C., where he bought a pair of sneakers and was seen walking the family golden retriever, the 39-year-old all but vanished.

Los Angeles Times

They took the single sighting of a hornet nest high in a tree in south Gloucestershire and extrapolated from that.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a single sight" when you want to emphasize the impact or memorability of a particular view or spectacle. It suggests the sight is noteworthy and perhaps even emotionally resonant.

Common error

Avoid using "a single sight" when a simpler construction like "the sight" would suffice. Overusing "single" can make your writing sound redundant or unnatural. For example, it's better to say "The sight of the mountains was breathtaking" instead of "The single sight of the mountains was breathtaking" unless you specifically want to emphasize its uniqueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single sight" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a specific instance of something seen, emphasizing its individuality. Ludwig confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single sight" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the uniqueness and impact of a particular visual experience. Though relatively rare in occurrence, Ludwig indicates it's typically found in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, use this phrase to highlight a noteworthy view, but avoid overuse to maintain natural-sounding prose. Alternative phrases such as "a unique sight" or "a singular sight" can be used to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique sight

Emphasizes the distinctiveness and unusual nature of the view.

a singular sight

Highlights the exceptional and remarkable quality of the vision.

a solitary view

Focuses on the isolated and alone aspect of the scenery.

a lone spectacle

Underscores the solitary and impressive nature of what is seen.

one visual experience

Highlights a sensory encounter limited to a single occurance

a single viewing

Highlights the act of seeing one thing, and focuses on that single experience.

a unique perspective

Highlights a new point of view, rather than the image itself.

an individual scene

Draws attention to one element within a larger view

a lone image

Highlights a single image rather than a landscape

a single glimpse

Focuses on a brief or fleeting view

FAQs

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

You can use "a single sight" to describe a memorable or impactful view. For example, "A single sight of the aurora borealis was enough to make the trip worthwhile."

What phrases are similar to "a single sight"?

Similar phrases include "a unique sight", "a singular sight", or "a solitary view". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a single sight" formal or informal?

"A single sight" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

When should I use "a single sight" versus "the sight"?

Use "a single sight" when you want to emphasize the uniqueness, impact, or memorability of a particular view. Use "the sight" when you are simply referring to what is visible.