not even one single

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not even one single' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the fact that something is absent or nonexistent. For example, "I could not find any strawberries at the store--not even one single one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"For this person, there is not even one single clue that exists," German investigators concluded.

Los Angeles Times

"Why not even one single month?" One possible answer was offered by Taner Yildiz, the energy minister.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It is almost ridiculous to doubt the legitimacy of withholding these funds, when the Palestinian Authority does not fulfill even one single item of any of their agreements with us.

The New York Times

Remember, this is money passed on to the likes of Paris Hilton and her bratty brother, who did not work even one single hour to earn it.

Huffington Post

"We would not have signed if even one single point would have compromised our effectiveness.

The Guardian

It is obviously not possible that there exists even one single non-hitting cell on RT.

BMC Genomics

The bottom line is this: No single theory, not even one as elegant as disruptive innovation, can explain everything.

Harvard Business Review

No single leader, not even one as popular and symbolically potent as Obama, can change that easily.

The Guardian - Opinion

The connection between global warming and extreme weather, though well established in computer models, was difficult to demonstrate in the real world; as scientists routinely reminded the public, no single event — not even one as devastating as Hurricane Katrina — could be confidently attributed to humanity's impact on the planet.

The New Yorker

Not even one.

Duke University

~> Not even one.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even one single" to strongly emphasize the absence or lack of something, especially when you want to highlight that even the smallest amount or instance is missing.

Common error

While effective for emphasis, "not even one single" can sound too informal or repetitive in certain formal writing. Consider using "not a single" or "none" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even one single" functions as an emphatic negative determiner. It's used to strongly assert the absence of something, highlighting that not a single item or instance exists. As supported by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not even one single" serves as a powerful tool for emphasizing the complete absence of something. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's best used in neutral to informal contexts, avoiding overuse in highly formal or scientific writing where it might sound out of place. Alternatives like ""not a single"" or ""none"" offer a more concise and formal tone when needed. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, science and academic articles, reflecting its utility in everyday communication and opinion pieces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a single

Omits "even one", slightly reducing the emphasis.

not one

Shortened form, less emphatic but conveys the same meaning.

not even one

Removes "single", slightly weakening the emphasis on individual items.

not so much as one

More formal and emphatic, highlighting the absence.

absolutely none

Uses a different quantifier for emphasis.

not any

A more general negation, lacking the specific emphasis on 'one'.

not a single item

Replaces "single" with "single item" for clarity and added emphasis on physical objects.

not even a solitary one

Uses "solitary" to emphasize the isolation and absence.

not one iota

Emphasizes the absence of even a tiny amount or degree.

zero

Simplest form of negation, often used in mathematical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "not even one single" in a sentence?

Use "not even one single" to emphasize the complete absence of something. For example, "I searched everywhere, but I could "not find even one single" piece of evidence."

What phrases are similar to "not even one single"?

Alternatives include "not a single", "not one", or "absolutely none", which also convey a sense of complete absence.

Is "not even one single" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not even one single" can sound informal. Use it sparingly in formal contexts, opting for alternatives like "not a single" or "none" when necessary.

What's the difference between "not even one single" and "not one"?

"Not even one single" emphasizes the lack of even the smallest quantity. "Not one" is a more direct and less emphatic way to convey the same meaning. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to create.