a single specimen of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single specimen of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to one example or instance of something, often in scientific or formal contexts. Example: "The researcher collected a single specimen of the rare plant for further study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

& Big. and a single specimen of O. palmeri Engelm.

University of California, Berkeley

This species is known to science from only a single specimen, of a male.

Cornell University

The shrubs I saw included Purshia glandulosa [P. tridentata var. g.], Cowania mexicana, and a single specimen of an interesting hybrid between the two.

University of California, Berkeley

"I have often wish'd I had saved a single specimen of all the new articles I have made, and would now give twenty times the original value for such a collection.

The Guardian - Opinion

Safely packed below deck was an impressive collection of insects, fish, mammals and birds and among them a dead parrot, a single specimen of Spix's macaw, a species that would become known as the world's rarest bird.

The Guardian

In this approach, a single specimen of a thin film bonded to a substrate with orthogonal thickness and temperature gradients is subdivided into separate samples.

Thin Solid Films

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Isolated tergites were assigned to a segment based on size and differences in ornamentation aindicates an incomplete measurement Only a single specimen each of the genital operculum and genital appendage represent the ventral mesosomal structures.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Each RPM assay of a single specimen is capable of generation from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides of multiple targeted pathogen gene sequence(s).

Plosone

Although micropores generally show a pattern of shrinking and closing, closer inspection of a single specimen revealed a variety of geometrically variable behaviors.

Acta Materialia

Westgardia gigantea Known from a single specimen from the Cambrian of California.

The Guardian

The second oldest species is Proteroctopus ribeti a single specimen from the Jurassic of France was published in 1982.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific observations or collections, use "a single specimen of" to clearly indicate that only one item was found or analyzed. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a single specimen of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "one example" or "just one" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single specimen of" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that there is only one example or instance of that noun. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

20%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a single specimen of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, particularly in scientific and formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It serves to specify that only one instance of something is being referred to, adding precision to the communication. While frequently used in academic and scientific contexts, overuse in informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives include one specimen of, "a unique example of", and others, depending on the desired nuance. Overall, it is best to use "a single specimen of" in formal, and scientific contexts where the singularity of the item is relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one specimen of

Replaces "a single" with "one", a minor change in wording.

a unique example of

Substitutes "single specimen" with "unique example", emphasizing uniqueness.

a solitary instance of

Replaces "single specimen" with "solitary instance", indicating isolation.

an isolated case of

Uses "isolated case" instead of "single specimen", suggesting rarity.

a lone sample of

Employs "lone sample" to convey the idea of being the only one available for testing.

a singular item of

Replaces "specimen" with "item", making it applicable in broader contexts.

a one-off instance of

Uses "one-off instance", indicating something that happened only once.

a sole representative of

Replaces "single specimen" with "sole representative", suggesting it stands for a group.

a unique occurrence of

Emphasizes the unusual and non-repeating nature of the instance.

a rare find of

Highlights the difficulty of locating additional instances of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a single specimen of" in a sentence?

Use "a single specimen of" to specify that you are referring to only one example from a larger set. For instance, "a single specimen of the rare beetle was found in the Amazon rainforest".

What are some alternatives to "a single specimen of"?

Alternatives include "one example of", "a unique instance of", or "a lone sample of", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a single specimen of" or "one specimen of"?

Both "a single specimen of" and "one specimen of" are grammatically correct, but the former emphasizes the isolated nature of the specimen. The latter is simpler and more direct.

In what context is "a single specimen of" most commonly used?

"A single specimen of" is frequently used in scientific research, museum curation, and formal reports to provide precise details about the quantity of samples or items under discussion.