not a single time

USAGE SUMMARY

"not a single time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something has never happened or been done. For example, "I have never taken a vacation not a single time in the last 10 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Not a single time.

The New Yorker

one day, ever, not a single time.

The New York Times

Not a single time was Vick sacked.

The New York Times - Sports

"I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never," he stated at the time.

Independent

("I've never been embarrassed by my dad," says Cooper Manning, a New Orleans investment analyst whose own promising football career ended for medical reasons. "Not a single time").

The New York Times - Magazine

I never told a single person to lie, not a single time, never," an angry President Clinton declares to an invited media audience at the White House.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

How? "There isn't a single time I've walked down the street in N.Y.C. the last two months and some kid isn't singing it".

The New Yorker

Over the course of seven days there wasn't a single time when I stood on the bridge of the Seletar, even when deep at sea, that I couldn't look out and see other container ships, and a brief scan of the horizon with binoculars would usually reveal four or five more.

BBC

In it, the mysterious Anton Vowl disappears … and the letter "e" is not used a single time in the course of the 300-page novel.

Independent

Kellner points out there has not been a single time in more than 80 years when an opposition has returned to power at the first attempt with an overall majority.

The Guardian

Have you ever been to a leadership prayer breakfast on the highest floors, nearer to the heavens and to me? No, truly, this you have never done, not even a single time, and yet you cry to me for aid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a single time" to strongly emphasize that something has never happened. This phrase is more impactful than simply saying "never".

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "not a single time" can sound repetitive or informal in formal writing. Consider varying your language with synonyms like "never", "on no occasion", or "at no point" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a single time" functions as an adverbial phrase used to modify a verb or clause. It emphasizes the complete absence of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not a single time" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that adds emphasis to the absence of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the phrase is categorized as being of neutral register, suitable for various media and writing styles, from news articles to personal blogs. While generally appropriate, consider using it judiciously in formal contexts, opting for synonyms like "never" or "on no occasion" to maintain a polished tone. Related phrases like ""never once"" and ""not even once"" offer alternative ways to express the same idea, allowing for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not one time

A direct synonym using "one" instead of "a single".

never once

This alternative is a more concise way of expressing the same idea, using 'never' and 'once' for emphasis.

not even once

This alternative adds the word 'even' to emphasize the lack of occurrence.

not on one occasion

Adds formality using "occasion" in place of "time".

on no occasion

This alternative is more formal and uses 'occasion' instead of 'time'.

at no point

This emphasizes a lack of occurrence across a duration or series of events.

not in any instance

This alternative uses 'instance' to highlight the absence across possible situations.

not ever

A shorter, more emphatic way of saying never, suitable for informal contexts.

never at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of an event or action.

zero times

A more literal way of expressing non-occurrence, often used in quantitative contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "not a single time" in a sentence?

You can use "not a single time" to emphasize the complete absence of an action or event. For example, "He has "not a single time" admitted his mistake."

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

Alternatives include "never once", "not even once", or "on no occasion", which offer similar emphasis but with slightly different stylistic nuances.

Is it more correct to say "never" or "not a single time"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "not a single time" provides additional emphasis. "Never" is more concise and suitable for most situations, while "not a single time" is used for dramatic effect or to highlight the complete absence of something.

Can "not a single time" be considered redundant?

In some contexts, "not a single time" can be seen as slightly redundant, as the word "never" already implies a complete absence. However, the phrase is often used deliberately to add extra emphasis and convey a stronger sense of negation.