a singular reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"a singular reason" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to just one reason as opposed to multiple reasons. For example: "I had a singular reason for wanting to go to the movies; I had been told that it was a great film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In saying no, moreover, he gave Israelis a singular reason.

The Economist

The others were there for a singular reason.

The New Yorker

"When you make a decision to live abroad, there's never a singular reason," Ms. Wynne said.

The New York Times

For some Latter-day Saints, however, like Nancy Wudel, there is a singular reason to ignore behavior they would otherwise never condone: the certainty the next president will appoint at least one lifetime member of the U.S. Supreme Court, and perhaps several more.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

104 The results of these studies suggest that these patients, generally, like Canadian patients, are interested in or request euthanasia or assisted suicide not because of any singular reason; instead, their motivation arises from a complex combination of physical, psychosocial, and existential suffering – importantly, this is a type of suffering that has objective as well as subjective elements.

Bioethics

Go back to May 31, when Pelfrey, of all people, gave the Mets a singular, symbolic reason to believe that what they saw the first two months of the season wasn't necessarily everything they were going to get.

The New York Times

This reggae song includes typically misguided lyrics such as "Dayo dayo me say dayo/Biddly biddly biddly bong, yo" and also features the character Dom Johnson, a young rapper who decides to collaborate with Brent for the singular reason that he will fund his studio time.

The Guardian - Music

The singular reason is obviously OS age, in Microsoft's case, and OS fragmentation, in Android's case.

TechCrunch

For the singular reason of wishing to avoid the USSR's horrible fate, they never quite push intransigence over intellectual property protection and subsidized exports to the break point.

Forbes

The singular reason: I am gay.

Huffington Post

there is no singular reason for this. the side projects or bands are supported by all members of the band.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a singular reason" when you want to emphasize that there is only one key factor or motivation, distinguishing it from situations with multiple contributing factors. It adds a sense of focus and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "singular" multiple times in the same paragraph or sentence. This can make your writing sound repetitive and awkward. If you've already established the unique nature of something, consider using synonyms like "unique", "distinct", or "primary" in subsequent references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a singular reason" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and serves to identify a unique or primary motive.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a singular reason" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a unique or primary motive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. While not overly common, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a situation with one key driving factor to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives like "a unique reason" or "a single reason" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a single reason

Focuses on the reason being just one, without others.

a distinct reason

Emphasizes the clarity and separateness of the reason.

a unique reason

Highlights the exceptional and unparalleled nature of the reason.

the only reason

Indicates that no other reason exists.

the main reason

Implies the reason is central and overriding.

a primary reason

Suggests the reason is the most important among others.

a specific reason

Highlights that the reason is precise and well-defined.

a chief reason

Highlights the hierarchical importance of the reason.

a principal reason

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the reason.

the underlying reason

Suggests a less obvious but fundamental cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "a singular reason" to emphasize that there is only one key factor or motivation. For example, "The company's success was due to "a singular reason": its innovative marketing strategy."

What is a good alternative to "a singular reason"?

Alternatives include "a unique reason", "a distinct reason", or "a single reason", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a singular reason" or "the only reason"?

"A singular reason" emphasizes uniqueness, while "the only reason" indicates exclusivity. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight that the reason is unique or that no other reasons exist. For example, if there is "a single reason", you can say that it is "the only one".

What's the difference between "a singular reason" and "a primary reason"?

"A singular reason" suggests there's only one reason. "A primary reason" suggests there are other reasons, but one is the most important or influential. If there's one important thing, use "primary". But if you want to highlight that there is "a single reason" instead, use "singular".