single data point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single data point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an individual piece of data or observation within a larger dataset or analysis. Example: "While the single data point suggests a trend, we need more data to draw a reliable conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a single data point in a very complicated matrix.

The New York Times

Even a single data point can change, sometimes more than once, over time.

The New York Times

No, it was most likely just noise, the natural inaccuracy of focusing on a single data point.

The Guardian - Opinion

Translation: A single data point has persuaded thousands of investors to buy stocks today.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Stanford group instead averaged the multiple years into a single data point.

The New York Times - Science

Baruch Lev, an accounting professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, argues against relying on any single data point.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's important not to over-interpret a single data point, but it's a promising sign that carbon pollution emissions didn't grow in 2014 while the global economy did.

The Guardian

"I'm reluctant to say that a single data point is a trend," said Barry Parr, a media analyst at Jupiter Research.

The New York Times

Wortham wonders whether the opposite is the case, bringing "the realization that one raunchy photo is just a single data point among hundreds".

The Guardian

It's a figure that compresses the immensity of a national economy into a single data point of surpassing density.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their being forced to report every single data point would lead to less transparency, not more, he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing trends, avoid drawing definitive conclusions from a "single data point". Always consider it in the context of a larger dataset to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using a "single data point" as the sole basis for making significant decisions or predictions. Confirm findings with additional data or evidence to ensure reliability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single data point" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an individual item within a larger set of data. As Ludwig AI underlines, it's often used to caution against drawing broad conclusions from limited information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "single data point" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to an individual piece of information within a larger dataset. According to Ludwig AI, it is crucial to avoid over-interpreting a "single data point" in isolation. Instead, consider it as part of a broader analysis. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, using a "single data point" as the foundation of important decisions is generally discouraged. Alternatives such as "individual data point" or "isolated data point" can offer slightly different emphasis. The best practice is to always validate findings with more data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one data point

Uses the numeral "one" instead of "single", a more direct substitution.

individual data point

Replaces "single" with "individual", emphasizing the distinct nature of the data point.

isolated data point

Substitutes "single" with "isolated", highlighting the data point's lack of connection to others.

solitary data point

Replaces "single" with "solitary", emphasizing the data point's aloneness.

unique data point

Replaces "single" with "unique", suggesting the data point is distinctive and unlike others.

a lone data entry

Uses "lone" to emphasize the isolated nature and "entry" to describe data input.

an individual observation

Focuses on the act of observing the data, rather than the data itself.

a singular metric

Replaces "data point" with "metric", which is more specific to measurement contexts.

an instance of data

Rephrases the concept to focus on data as a broader category, with the single point as an instance.

a discrete piece of information

Emphasizes the separateness and informative nature of the single data entry.

FAQs

How can I use "single data point" in a sentence?

You can use "single data point" to describe an individual piece of information within a larger set, such as: "This "single data point" is insufficient to establish a trend."

What are some alternatives to "single data point"?

Alternatives include "individual data point", "isolated data point", or "one data point". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it acceptable to rely on a "single data point"?

Relying on a "single data point" is generally discouraged for critical decisions. However, it may be acceptable for preliminary explorations or generating hypotheses, provided it's followed by more comprehensive analysis.

What does it mean to over-interpret a "single data point"?

Over-interpreting a "single data point" means assigning excessive significance to one piece of information without considering the broader context, potential biases, or the need for corroborating evidence.