not a single member

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not a single member" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that none of the members in a group or organization are included in a particular situation or action. Example: "After the meeting, not a single member expressed any concerns about the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not a single member of the panel responded.

The New York Times

The 189 executions since 13 March have included not a single member of these proscribed groups.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not a single member of Hezbollah had been killed there, far less any notable.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is not a single member country of the European Union with a precisely similar body.

The Guardian

So far, however, not a single member of Al Qaeda has been discovered.

The New York Times

Not a single member of the panel disagreed with the statement.

The New York Times

There is not a single member of parliament of non-white immigrant origin representing mainland France.

The Economist

Nine Somali gunmen were killed; not a single member of the Seals was hurt.

The New York Times

"Not a single member of this committee's signed up to investigate you," he insisted.

Independent

"Not a single member of this committee signed up for an investigation into you or your email system," Gowdy said.

The Guardian

Madam Secretary, not a single member of this committee signed up to investigate you or your e-mail.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a single member" to emphasize the complete absence of participation, agreement, or inclusion from every individual within a group.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "not a single member" can sound overly formal or emphatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "no one" or "nobody" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a single member" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically designed to emphasize the complete absence or exclusion of any individual from a defined group. It serves to highlight that no one within that group meets a particular condition or took specific action. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is widely used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not a single member" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to emphasize the complete absence of anyone from a particular group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in news and media to highlight a lack of participation or agreement. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to formal contexts. For less formal scenarios, simpler alternatives like "no one" or "nobody" may be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase when you want to drive home the point that absolutely no one from a specific group is involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no members at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of members.

not one member

Highlights the individuality of each member, stressing that even one is missing.

none of the members

Focuses on the collective group, stating that none are included.

no individual member

Emphasizes that not even one person within the group is included or present.

absolutely no member

Adds intensity, underscoring the certainty of the absence.

not any member

A less common way to say none are included.

without exception, no member

Stresses that there are no exceptions to the absence.

in no instance, a member

Highlights the lack of any occurrence of a member being involved.

never a member

Suggests that a member was never present or involved.

zero members

A concise and direct way to state the absence of members, often used in quantitative contexts.

FAQs

What does "not a single member" mean?

The phrase "not a single member" emphasizes that no one within a particular group is included, present, or has taken a specific action. It highlights a complete absence or lack of participation.

When should I use "not a single member"?

Use "not a single member" when you want to strongly emphasize that absolutely no one from a specific group or organization is involved in a situation or action. It adds a sense of completeness to the exclusion.

What are some alternatives to "not a single member"?

You can use alternatives like "no members at all", "not one member", or "none of the members" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not a single member"?

Yes, "not a single member" is grammatically correct. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage and prevalence in reliable sources.