he is single

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is single" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's relationship status, indicating that they are not currently in a romantic relationship. Example: "When asked about his dating life, he simply replied, 'He is single and focusing on his career right now.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

(Twice divorced, he is single).

The New Yorker

Besides, he is single.

The New York Times

He is single and a workaholic.

The Economist

He is single, and a vegetarian.

The Guardian

He is single and wears cowboy boots.

The New York Times

He is single minded in his actions and policies.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It seems that he is single-handedly trying to break the Giants' 56-year hex.

The New York Times - Sports

He is single-minded, determined and largely unconcerned by the consequences of his actions.

The Guardian - Film

He is single-minded about crushing the opposition for the green jersey.

The Guardian - Sport

He is single-minded and implacably insensitive, and nothing — certainly not the prejudices of his admirers — seems to embarrass him.

The New Yorker

He is single-minded and implacably insensitive, and nothing certainly not the prejudices of his admirers seems to embarrass him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow with additional information, such as "he is single and looking" to offer a more complete picture of the individual's situation or desires.

Common error

Avoid framing "he is single" as a negative attribute or implying that something is wrong with the person. Being single is a valid life choice and should be presented neutrally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is single" functions as a declarative statement providing information about a person's marital status. Ludwig shows it's used to simply state that someone is not currently in a relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is single" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate that a male individual is not currently in a committed romantic relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is straightforward and widely understood. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Academia and Wiki contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of potential negative connotations and adjust the language depending on the context and audience. Alternatives such as "he is unattached" or "he is not married" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is unattached

Replaces "single" with a synonym, focusing on the lack of attachment.

he is not married

Directly states the absence of marriage.

he has no spouse

More formal way of saying he is not married.

he is a bachelor

Classic term for an unmarried man.

he is without a partner

Emphasizes the absence of a romantic partner.

he is currently available

Highlights his availability for a relationship.

he is relationship-free

Highlights the absence of a relationship.

he is on his own

Focuses on his independent status.

he is footloose and fancy-free

Idiomatic expression suggesting a carefree, unattached lifestyle.

he hasn't settled down

Suggests he hasn't committed to a long-term relationship.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he is single"?

Saying "he is single" means that the person is not currently in a committed romantic relationship.

Is it appropriate to ask someone if "he is single"?

It depends on your relationship with the person. Asking if "he is single" may be appropriate in some social contexts, such as when you're trying to set someone up on a date or making small talk, but consider the potential awkwardness or privacy concerns.

What can I say instead of "he is single"?

You can use alternatives like "he is unattached", "he is not married", or "he is available" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "he is single" and "he is divorced"?

"He is single" indicates that the person is not currently in a relationship, regardless of whether they have been married before. "He is divorced" specifically means that he was previously married but that marriage has legally ended.