a singular circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a singular circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a unique or specific situation that stands out from others. Example: "In a singular circumstance, the team managed to complete the project ahead of schedule despite the challenges they faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He recorded in his journal: "It is a singular circumstance that, while I am engaged in preparing for the press the letters of General Washington which he wrote at Cambridge after taking command of the American army, I should occupy the same rooms that he did at that time".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That singular circumstance turns the publication into a phenomenon.

The New Yorker

With collective student loan debt recently reaching $1 trillion dollars, Mihalic's story of significant debt is no singular circumstance.

Huffington Post

Despite the pressures brought on by these singular circumstances, James led the Cavaliers in scoring, steals, and minutes played over the course of the 2003 04 season, winning the league's Rookie of the Year award in the process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite his prodigious collection of contemporary art – acquired in singular circumstances; last May he settled with the New York attorney general to the tune of $7m in back taxes – Rosen was never impressed with the heritage of the Four Seasons, and he spent years battling with the city's landmark commission to remove a Picasso tapestry that hung between Grill Room and Pool Room.

The Guardian - Arts

The word "outsider" is meant to denote artists working not only outside the art world, but outside of mainstream culture, whether due to physical isolation, incarceration, mental illness or other singular circumstances.

Huffington Post

Otherwise unknown carcinogens do continue to be identified by singular circumstances of exposure giving rise to particular tumour types, exemplified by the causation of cholangiocarcinoma by 1,2-dichloropropane (81).

Carcinogenesis

For some it's a fleeting, ephemeral state contingent on circumstance and resistant to a singular definition; for others it's a phenomenon that can be observed, measured and distilled into numbers, metrics and, ultimately, policy.

The Guardian

Considering different interventions and their associated risks, burdens and benefits was not a singular decision but rather an on-going process as the patient's condition changed and dependent upon their circumstances.

BMC Medical Ethics

It's accurate to say then that Mexico relies on a singular remittance corridor with the United States, while the Philippines is dependent upon multiple corridors with multiple countries, a circumstance which more closely echoes the two largest remittance countries, India and China ($71 billion and $64 billion, respectively).

TechCrunch

It is a singular document.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a singular circumstance" to emphasize the uniqueness and specificity of a situation, especially when contrasting it with more common occurrences. It's best suited for formal or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a singular circumstance" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "a unique situation" or "an unusual event" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a singular circumstance" functions as a noun phrase, where 'singular' modifies 'circumstance'. It identifies a specific and unique situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a singular circumstance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a unique or exceptional situation. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare in usage and tends toward formal contexts. Alternative phrases like "a unique situation" or "an unusual event" may be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, serving to highlight the distinctiveness of a particular event. Remember to reserve it for situations where emphasizing uniqueness is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a unique situation

Replaces 'singular' with 'unique', emphasizing the one-of-a-kind nature of the circumstance.

an exceptional situation

Replaces 'singular' with 'exceptional', stressing the circumstance's deviation from the norm in a positive way.

an atypical situation

Uses 'atypical' to denote the circumstance's deviation from the typical or usual.

an unusual event

Substitutes both 'singular' and 'circumstance' with broader terms, focusing on the unexpected nature of the occurrence.

an unprecedented situation

Highlights the lack of prior instances of the circumstance.

a peculiar case

Uses 'peculiar' to highlight the odd or strange aspect of the situation, and 'case' as a synonym for circumstance.

a rare occurrence

Focuses on the infrequency of the event, replacing 'circumstance' with 'occurrence'.

a distinct scenario

Emphasizes the clearly defined and individual nature of the circumstance.

a remarkable incident

Conveys the noteworthiness or striking quality of the circumstance.

a one-off event

Highlights that the event happened only once and is not expected to recur.

FAQs

How can I use "a singular circumstance" in a sentence?

You can use "a singular circumstance" to describe a situation that is unique or unusual. For example: "It was "a singular circumstance" that he was in the same rooms as George Washington."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a singular circumstance"?

Similar phrases include "a unique situation", "an unusual event", or "an exceptional case".

Is "a singular circumstance" formal or informal?

"A singular circumstance" leans towards formal usage. In more casual settings, consider using simpler alternatives.

When is it appropriate to use "a singular circumstance"?

Use "a singular circumstance" when you want to emphasize the distinctiveness or rarity of an event or situation. It's appropriate in descriptive or analytical writing where precision is valued.