lone

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an adjective meaning "solitary" or "alone." For example, "The lone hiker trudged along the trail, heading towards the setting sun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Someone would have cracked, whispered or cashed in; which points to Nakamoto being a lone operator.

The Guardian

At the other end, Gretna were struggling to keep hold of the ball in the final third of the pitch, with lone striker Henry Makinwa finding it hard to make much of an impact.

The Guardian - Sport

The book also includes the illustration of a lone wolf with an unhinged look and a hint of slaver round its chops, most likely based on the sole wolf specimen that he held in his collection.

The Guardian

Most of these bikes originate from India, and while their lone gear isn't exactly ideal for Kathmandu's gradients, they come cheap and are built like workhorses.

The Guardian

There is no single mountain language, but a range of mountain languages; no one coastal language, but a fractal of coastal languages; no lone tree language, but a forest of tree languages.

The Guardian - Books

A lone voice was the captain, Casey Stoney, who thanked Powell for "making her dreams come true" in giving her the armband, but tellingly also described her as "ruthless".

The Guardian - Sport

Looking back to 2001, a cultural movement blamed the Columbine massacre on the music of Marilyn Manson and the video game Doom, where "players take on the role of a lone space marine stalking corridors and shooting creatures with a variety of weapons".

The Guardian - Opinion

That's bad news for lone good cop Jim Gordon.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There were a number of big name omissions, including Hanks for both his talked-up roles this year in Captain Phillips and Saving Mr Banks, as well as Robert Redford as a lone yachtsman in All Is Lost, Emma Thompson as crotchety author PL Travers in Saving Mr Banks, and Joaquin Phoenix in Spike Jonze's oddball love story Her.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Like other lone-wolf killers, he gained a greater significance to his actions by attaching his personal grievance to a larger ideology.

The Guardian

McConnell attempted to seek a temporary extension for additional Patriot Act powers to be affected by the expiration of powers unrelated to the NSA's bulk domestic phone metadata program – including so-called "lone-wolf" and "roving wiretap" capabilities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lone" to specifically emphasize the solitary nature of a subject, especially when contrasting it with a group or common expectation. For example, "a lone tree" effectively conveys isolation on a landscape.

Common error

Avoid confusing "lone" (meaning solitary) with "loan" (meaning something borrowed). The similar spelling can lead to errors, especially in quick writing or dictation. Always double-check your spelling for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "lone" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of being solitary, isolated, or without companions. Ludwig examples show its usage in phrases like "lone operator" and "lone wolf".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

12%

Books

8%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lone" functions as an adjective signifying singularity or isolation, commonly used across various contexts but primarily in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. When writing, remember to distinguish "lone" from "loan" to avoid spelling errors. Related terms include "solitary", "isolated", and "single", each carrying subtle differences in emphasis. The examples available on Ludwig offer further insight into its effective usage, helping to convey a sense of solitude or uniqueness accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solitary

Indicates a state of being alone or single, often emphasizing a preference for being by oneself.

isolated

Highlights the condition of being separated from others, either physically or emotionally.

single

Emphasizes the state of being one of a kind or unmarried.

only

Focuses on the exclusivity of something; there is no other of its kind.

sole

Similar to 'only', it signifies that there is just one, excluding others.

lonesome

Emphasizes the feeling of sadness due to being alone.

lonely

Similar to 'lonesome', conveying a sense of longing for companionship.

unaccompanied

Indicates the absence of a companion, focusing on the act of being without company.

unattended

Highlights a lack of supervision or care, implying neglect or abandonment.

forsaken

Suggests a sense of being abandoned or deserted, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "lone" in a sentence?

You can use "lone" to describe something that is solitary or isolated, such as "a lone wolf" or "a lone house on the hill".

What can I say instead of "lone"?

You can use alternatives like "solitary", "isolated", or "single" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "lone survivor" or "sole survivor"?

Both phrases are correct but have slightly different connotations. "Lone survivor" emphasizes the isolation of the survivor, while "sole survivor" emphasizes that there are no other survivors.

What is the difference between "lone" and "alone"?

"Lone" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is solitary, while "alone" can be used as both an adjective and an adverb. For example, you might describe a "lone figure," or say someone is "all alone".