even a single one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even a single one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the significance of a minimal quantity or to highlight that even the smallest amount is noteworthy. Example: "I would appreciate any feedback, even a single one, to help improve my work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And if Rourke's professional second act helps deliver even a single one to Rumble Fish and then on to the movies it pilfered from, then the Motorcycle Boy will have done us all a favour.

The Guardian - Film

Equally significant, this scenario was not implicated by any, not even a single one, of the 286 published papers that based their research on the correctness of Li et al and went on to postulate loss of Runx3 expression in normal GIT Ep to explain the pathogenesis of various types of cancer.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

"No settler will be allowed to stay in the Palestinian state, not even a single one, because settlements are illegal and the presence of the settlers on the occupied lands is illegal," said a Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat.

The Guardian

Did not even a single one of these citizens dial 911 and report a near riot with people being attacked?

The New York Times

The Saudis wanted all the pieces, and the Pentagon did not want to let even a single one of those pieces loose".

The New York Times

As long as millions of American households are still receiving their television over the air, many of them in remote areas, politicians are understandably loath to cut off even a single one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It's gotten to the point where I can't even find a single one I want to watch (which really defeats the purpose of VOD) even while strapped into a cramped seat in economy without being able to turn my head away, kind of like Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange (although at least he got to watch porn mixed with extreme violence).

Vice

They beat Yorkshire at Headingley in the semi-final thanks to Klinger, and here they triumphed without even needing a single one of his runs.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, after a romp through their carefully presented Christmas and New Year highlights, I have reached the point where I cannot even behold a single one of their images without imagining it captioned #ohgodisthisit?

The Guardian - Opinion

During a recent successful challenge to the City of Centennial's efforts to shut down CannaMart, a dispensary that was also our client in the case, city officials were forced to admit under oath that not a single complaint had been registered with the city against CannaMart, either by homeowners, other businesses, or even by a single one of the approximately 600 patients CannaMart served.

Huffington Post

So when one friends turns to another and says those six magic words—"are you going to Basel this year," the answer is usually yes, even though not a single one of them is an art collector (or even an artist).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "even a single one" with negative constructions (e.g., "not even a single one") to amplify the sense of absence or lack.

Common error

Avoid using "even a single one" in situations where a simpler expression like "one" or "a single" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even a single one" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the minimal quantity or instance. It is used to highlight the significance of something being absent or, conversely, its importance even in the smallest amount. Ludwig examples show its wide range of applications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "even a single one" is a versatile intensifier used to emphasize the significance of a minimal quantity or the complete absence of something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media and Scientific sources. While it's acceptable in both formal and informal settings, be mindful of potential verbosity and choose simpler alternatives when appropriate. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to underscore a surprising lack or the notable presence of even the smallest unit. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in simple contexts, as conciseness improves clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not even one

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, reinforcing the negative aspect more strongly.

not a single one

Similar to the original phrase, but adds a stronger emphasis on the lack of even a solitary item.

even just one

Highlights the minimal requirement and suggests that even the smallest amount would be sufficient.

just a single one

Focuses on the simplicity and singularity of the item in question.

not so much as one

Emphasizes a surprising lack of something that might be expected, adding a tone of disbelief.

not one

A more concise and direct way of expressing the absence of something.

even if only one

Highlights a hypothetical scenario where the smallest quantity still matters or has an impact.

even a solitary one

Emphasizes the loneliness and isolation of a single item.

not even a single item

Replaces "one" with "item" to clarify when referring to a concrete object.

even one alone

Emphasizes the singularity of an item and suggest that even one by itself is enough.

FAQs

How can I use "even a single one" in a sentence?

Use "even a single one" to stress that not "not even one" item or instance exists, or to highlight that the smallest instance is significant. For example, "I didn't receive even a single one."

What phrases are similar to "even a single one"?

Alternatives include "not a single one", ""not even one"", or "just one", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I avoid using "even a single one"?

While grammatically correct, "even a single one" can sometimes sound verbose. Use it judiciously, opting for simpler phrasing like "not one" when appropriate to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Is "even a single one" formal or informal?

"Even a single one" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "not one" or rephrasing for enhanced clarity.