one apiece

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one apiece" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that each person or item receives one of something. Example: "We will be distributing the snacks, so everyone will get one apiece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Contexts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Four occurred in the U.S. Virgin Islands, four more in the British Virgin Islands and one apiece on Barbuda and Anguilla.

The Washington Post

Incidentally, the game on TV is still tied at one apiece, with just a minute left in the second period.

The Guardian - Sport

Couldn't they have managed more than one apiece?

The Guardian - Arts

The Power and Crows split them one apiece last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon and Swisher have one apiece.

The New York Times

Her four wickets were supported by one apiece from Cross and Shrubsole.

The Guardian - Sport

Three of the six are Disney titles, with one apiece from Fox, Warners and Universal.

The Guardian - Film

(Johnny Cash, Mariah Carey and Kenny Chesney each has one apiece).

The New York Times

There are as many Brit School graduates as there are actual bands: one apiece.

The Guardian - Music

They have won a combined five gold medals: one apiece in singles, three as a doubles team.

The New Yorker

She'd bought five, figuring one apiece for Murt, Nugent, and herself, with an extra one each for the boys.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, ensure that the context makes it clear what the "one" refers to. For example, "The children each received a gift; they got one apiece."

Common error

Avoid writing "a piece" when you mean "apiece". "A piece" refers to a fragment or part of something, while "apiece" means each or to each one. Incorrect: "They each got a piece." Correct: "They each got "one apiece" or "a piece each."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one apiece" functions as a quantifier, specifying the distribution of a single item to each member of a group. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in indicating individual allocation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

General Contexts

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one apiece" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate that each member of a group receives one item. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts, predominantly in news, sports, and general discussions. While alternatives like "one each" and "one per person" exist, "one apiece" offers a concise and widely understood means of conveying individual distribution. Remember to use "one apiece" to refer to individual allocation, differentiating it from similar phrases such as "a piece" which means portion of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one each

Uses "each" instead of "apiece" to convey the same meaning of individual distribution.

one for each

Specifies that the quantity of one is intended for every individual.

one per person

Emphasizes the distribution on a per-person basis.

a single one for each

Adds emphasis to the singularity and individual allocation.

one to every person

Highlights the act of giving one to each individual.

one for every individual

Similar to "one for each" but uses more formal language.

one item each

Replaces the general term with "item" to denote a specific object.

individually, one

Inverts the structure to emphasize the individual nature of the distribution.

one per unit

Applicable when distributing to units rather than individuals.

a single portion each

Emphasizes the allocation of a single portion to each recipient.

FAQs

How can I use "one apiece" in a sentence?

Use "one apiece" to indicate that each person or entity receives one of something. For example, "The team members each received a medal, so they each have "one apiece"".

What does "one apiece" mean?

"One apiece" means that each person or thing in a group receives or possesses one item or unit. It's a way of saying "one each".

Are there alternatives to saying "one apiece"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "one each", "one per person", or "one for each" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a piece" instead of "one apiece"?

While "a piece" can refer to a portion, it doesn't convey the same meaning as "one apiece," which specifies that everyone receives one item. Use "a piece each" for clarity if you mean a portion for everyone.