single-handedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single-handedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone accomplishing something alone, without assistance from others. Example: "She single-handedly organized the entire charity event, raising thousands of dollars for the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost single-handedly, O'Connor rewrote abortion law.

The New Yorker

You single-handedly changed cricket.

The Guardian - Sport

I can't save the planet single-handedly.

The New Yorker

"He can't single-handedly rescue the economy".

The New York Times

We have rebuilt China single-handedly.

The Washington Post

Jack Kerouac single-handedly made Cadillacs cool.

The New York Times

But he didn't single-handedly kill Reconstruction.

The Washington Post

He did not do it single-handedly.

The New York Times

"He almost single-handedly wrecked it.

The Guardian - Books

It single-handedly revolutionised the modern theatre.

The Guardian

That would single-handedly kill fuel poverty".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "single-handedly" to emphasize an individual's effort and achievement, particularly when the task is challenging or typically requires multiple people. For example, "She single-handedly managed the project's turnaround" highlights her exceptional contribution.

Common error

Avoid using "single-handedly" when multiple people contributed significantly. It's misleading to say "He single-handedly led the team to victory" if other team members played crucial roles. A more accurate description would acknowledge the collective effort.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "single-handedly" modifies verbs, describing how an action is performed. It emphasizes that someone accomplishes something alone, without assistance. Ludwig examples confirm its function in highlighting individual effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "single-handedly" effectively conveys the idea of accomplishing something alone and without help. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "on one's own" or "independently" exist, "single-handedly" provides a specific emphasis on individual effort and often implies a challenging achievement. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation to avoid misrepresenting collaborative efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on one's own

Emphasizes independence and self-reliance in performing an action.

by oneself

Highlights the solitary nature of the action, focusing on the absence of others.

unaided

Stresses the lack of external help or support received.

without assistance

Directly states the absence of help, suitable for formal contexts.

independently

Focuses on the autonomous nature of the action.

solely

Emphasizes that only one person was responsible for the action.

exclusively

Similar to 'solely' but can imply a higher degree of uniqueness or specialization.

personally

Highlights direct involvement of someone in performing the action.

under one's own steam

An idiomatic expression suggesting that the action was powered by one's own effort.

off one's own bat

An idiomatic expression meaning to do something without being asked or told.

FAQs

How to use "single-handedly" in a sentence?

Use "single-handedly" to describe an action performed alone, without assistance. For example, "She "single-handedly" organized the entire event" indicates she did it all on her own.

What can I say instead of "single-handedly"?

You can use alternatives like "on one's own", "by oneself", or "without assistance" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "single-handedly" in formal writing?

Yes, "single-handedly" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when you want to emphasize the individual effort involved in an achievement. However, consider alternatives like "independently" or "solely" for an even more formal tone.

What's the difference between "single-handedly" and "independently"?

"Single-handedly" emphasizes the lack of assistance and the individual's effort, whereas "independently" focuses more on the autonomous nature of the action. You might say someone ""single-handedly" rescued the project" but "worked independently on the research".