but that single

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but that single" is not complete and lacks context, making it difficult to determine its correctness in written English.
It could be used in a context where you are contrasting a single item or instance with something else, but more information is needed for clarity. Example: "I appreciate all the feedback, but that single comment stood out to me the most."

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The truth: There's nothing here that's Brand New, but that single really is one of the Best We Ever Had this year.

The Guardian - Music

What's perhaps more concerning for Aitor Karanka is those four home encounters this term have been, with the exception of the game against Tottenham, entirely winnable, but that single point came on the first day of the season against Stoke.

The Guardian - Sport

But that single encounter proved pivotal in the film that those three men and the director Lori Cheatle would complete nearly four years later, "From Swastika to Jim Crow," a chronicle of German Jewish scholars who were ousted from their universities by the Nazi regime and wound up teaching at black colleges in the American South.

The New York Times - Arts

It was difficult to recognize the significance at the time, but that single, floating rectangle at the top of my computer screen would bring into being an entirely unique market.

TechCrunch

But that single video had ten years of making content, experimenting, testing, failing, and starting over.

Huffington Post

Each is like a short vignette, a burst of narrative isolated from anything else but that single moment.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

But that single-day record was shattered today when the party took in a total of $700,000 of small-donor checks, party officials said.

The New York Times

Perhaps only naïve men and women have the single-mindedness to perform such feats as a seven-month desert trek, but that single-mindedness cuts Robyn off from other people and, finally, from us as well.

The New Yorker

We show that the upper half metre of a dune in southeastern Australia is currently being turned over through bioturbation, but that single-grain OSL dating and contextual knowledge can be used to identify and model these modern mixing processes.

Quaternary Geochronology

But sometimes that single "proof-of-principle" experiment is missing.

Science Magazine

Such devices have low quantum detection efficiencies, but demonstrate that single photons can play an active role in the trapping of single carriers.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by immediately following "but that single" with the noun or idea it modifies to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "but that single" in simple sentences where a direct contrast using "but" alone is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or wordy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but that single" functions as a contrastive conjunction, introducing an exception or specific detail that stands in opposition to a more general statement. It serves to highlight a particular aspect, as evidenced by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

19%

Science & Research

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but that single" serves as a contrastive conjunction, used to emphasize a specific exception or detail. Ludwig AI indicates some grammatical status for the phrase, but examples from reliable sources shows that it is generally acceptable across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific domains. While the phrase is useful for adding precision to writing, it should be used judiciously to avoid unnecessary complexity. Alternatives include "however that one", "yet that specific", and "though that unique", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but just that one

Focuses on a contrast relating specifically to just one item.

but only that single

Emphasizes that the contrast is confined to only one thing.

however that one

Emphasizes contrast while specifying a particular item or instance.

yet that specific

Highlights a contrast with a focus on a precise detail.

though that unique

Similar to "but that single", it introduces a contrast related to something distinctive.

despite that solitary

Indicates a contrast in spite of something being isolated or alone.

nonetheless that individual

Highlights a contrast despite a specific instance.

even so that lone

Expresses a contrast considering something is isolated.

still that singular

Indicates a contrast emphasizing the unique nature of something.

nevertheless that isolated

Shows a contrast despite the isolated nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "but that single" in a sentence?

Use "but that single" to highlight a specific exception or contrasting element. For example, "The project had many challenges, but that single success made it worthwhile."

What are some alternatives to "but that single"?

Alternatives include "however that one", "yet that specific", or "though that unique", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "but that single" in formal writing?

Yes, "but that single" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when precision is needed to emphasize a specific contrasting point. However, ensure the context warrants the level of emphasis.

What's the difference between "but that single" and simply using "but"?

"But that single" emphasizes a specific, individual item or instance that contrasts with something else, while "but" generally introduces a broader contrast. The former is more precise and emphatic.