single only to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single only to" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express exclusivity, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "He is single only to her, which means he is not dating anyone else."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With 29 runs still required, Haddin played the ball into the covers and set off for a quick single only to be sent back by Pattinson.

The Guardian - Sport

(He passed up a chance to sign Abba and produced Pink Floyd's first single, only to be cast aside when the band got a big record deal).

The New Yorker

(He passed up a chance to sign Abba and produced Pink Floyd's first single, only to be cast aside when the band got a big record deal). Boyd discovered, produced, and managed such highly regarded and intermittently overlooked British acts as Fairport Convention (and Richard Thompson, Nick Drakee, and the Incredible String Band.

The New Yorker

You may transmit that you are single only to other singles, for example.

TechCrunch

The app enables mobile networking via Bluetooth and there is control via privacy settings, such as transmiting that you are single only to other singles ;-).

TechCrunch

The app enables mobile networking via Bluetooth and there is control via privacy settings, such as transmiting that you are single only to other singles (yeah, right, because people will be so honest about that).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This implies a transition from assessments that are rooted in one single advisory domain only to a trans-domain approach.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

This new single only serves to confirm that fact.

Independent

I had passed every single stage only to be rejected by this final assessment board, to which I was given no opportunity to present myself.

The Guardian

In continental Europe, the major parties embraced the idea of the single currency only to find that it fell into disfavour during the Great Recession.

The Guardian

The Greens now offer single beds only to all guests and said the EHRC had dropped the case.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "single only to" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "exclusive to" or "solely for" to convey exclusivity or limitation.

Common error

Do not rely on the phrase "single only to" to express exclusivity. Its non-standard construction can confuse readers and weaken the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single only to" appears to be an attempt to express exclusivity or restriction. However, it's grammatically incorrect and doesn't follow standard English usage. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is awkward and unclear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "single only to" is an ungrammatical construction intended to express exclusivity or limitation. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is not standard English and should be avoided. Grammatically correct alternatives like "exclusive to", "solely for", or "limited to" are recommended. While the phrase appears in various sources, from news articles to wikis, it should be replaced with clearer and more accurate language in both formal and informal contexts to avoid confusion and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive to

Indicates that something is limited to a specific person, group, or purpose, providing a clearer expression of exclusivity.

solely for

Emphasizes that something is intended for one purpose or individual only, offering a more straightforward expression of limitation.

limited to

Highlights the restriction of something to a particular scope or quantity, presenting a more direct statement of constraint.

only for

Specifies that something is applicable or available in one case, creating a clearer implication of restriction than the original phrase.

restricted to

Conveys a formal limitation, clarifying that access or use is confined to a specific entity or situation.

uniquely for

Highlights the unique applicability of something, emphasizing its special association or purpose.

specifically for

Clarifies that something is designed or intended for a particular use, avoiding the awkwardness of the original phrase.

just for

Offers a more casual and direct way of expressing limitation, making the intended meaning clearer.

designed only for

Indicates that something has been created with a very specific use in mind.

reserved exclusively for

Emphasizes the act of setting something aside for a specific purpose, group, or individual, ensuring its exclusive use.

FAQs

What does "single only to" mean?

The phrase "single only to" is grammatically incorrect and its intended meaning is unclear. It is likely meant to convey exclusivity or limitation, but it's not a standard or easily understood phrase in English.

How can I express exclusivity more clearly?

Use phrases like "exclusive to", "solely for", or "limited to" to express that something is restricted to a specific person, group, or purpose.

Is "single only to" grammatically correct?

No, "single only to" does not follow standard English grammar rules. It is best to avoid this phrase in both formal and informal writing.

Which is correct, "single only to" or "exclusive to"?

"Exclusive to" is the correct and preferred phrase. "Single only to" is grammatically awkward and unclear.