on a single note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a single note" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is consistent, uniform, or lacking in variety, often in a musical or metaphorical context. Example: "The presentation was engaging, but it remained on a single note throughout, failing to capture the audience's interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Ms. Woodard portrays Elizabeth on a single note of angry, beleaguered dignity, but that note serves the play's purposes.

The New York Times

The piano's intermittent hammering on a single note recalls the climax of the Piano Concerto, the heaviest of Carter's middle-period works.

The New Yorker

The group assumed a more conventional posture in "Pranam II" by Giacinto Scelsi, the eccentric Italian composer who created a number of pieces based on a single note.

The New York Times - Arts

The huge crescendo on a single note in Act III, for example, was something less than a perfectly balanced pillar of sound.

The New Yorker

If at first his inflections and messa di voce swellings ("placing the voice", with the dynamics on a single note rising and falling) seemed mannered, it is a tribute to his persuasive musicianship that such gestures became widely accepted.

The Guardian - Music

Recorded on the first take in 1942, with Lionel Hampton's orchestra, his 80-second solo on "Flying Home" was carefully structured, building its energy precipitously and cresting on a single note, repeated 12 times in a row.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

If you analyse the complexity of the harmonic series of a single note played on a particular instrument – say a low E on a trombone – you find a teeming world of musical possibility.

The Guardian - Music

On this occasion, if I remember correctly, one work was a single note on a solo violin to be sustained for 1 hour 20 minutes (but the performance was abbreviated to 40 minutes).

The New York Times - Arts

The radical humanity on display is a single note that finds the third and the fifth in the lived experience of the hearer.

Huffington Post

At the end of the Billy Strayhorn ballad "Chelsea Bridge," he brought the volume down altogether, so that all you could hear was the rattle of his fingernails on the keys, hammering a single note.

The New York Times - Arts

This would explain the naturalness with which we understand, for instance, some early Warner Bros. cartoons, where a single note on a staff jumps from one line to another, thus creating a melody.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a single note" to describe a performance or behavior, ensure the context clearly indicates whether this consistency is positive (e.g., unwavering focus) or negative (e.g., lack of creativity).

Common error

Avoid using "on a single note" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a single note" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how something is done or performed. Ludwig examples show it describes a consistent or unchanging manner.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Arts

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a single note" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to describe something done in a consistent or unchanging manner, often implying a lack of variation or complexity. As the Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in writing. It appears frequently in news and media, arts criticism, and general discussions. While its consistent usage makes it effective, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and vary their language to maintain reader engagement. Related phrases like "monotonously" or "in a monotone" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monotonously

This alternative describes an action or performance that lacks variety or interest.

in a monotone

Focuses on the unchanging quality of speech or sound.

without variation

Emphasizes the absence of change or diversity.

uniformly

Highlights consistent behavior or appearance.

consistently

Implies a steady and unwavering pattern.

incessantly

This describes something that continues without interruption, often in a repetitive way.

relentlessly

Suggests an unyielding or persistent approach.

in a repetitive manner

Highlights the recurring nature of an action or event.

with unwavering focus

Emphasizes concentration and dedication to one particular aim or aspect.

with fixed attention

Indicates a strong and unwavering concentration on something specific.

FAQs

How can I use "on a single note" in a sentence?

You can use "on a single note" to describe something that is consistent or lacking variety. For example, "The actor played the character "on a single note" of anger."

What does it mean to perform "on a single note"?

To perform "on a single note" can refer to consistently maintaining a particular mood, emotion, or style, often implying a lack of nuance or variation.

Are there synonyms for "on a single note"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "monotonously", "in a monotone", or "without variation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "on a single note" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize the uniformity or lack of change in a particular action, performance, or characteristic. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the consistency is intended positively or negatively.