single-minded devotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single-minded devotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a focused and unwavering commitment to a particular goal or cause. Example: "Her single-minded devotion to her studies earned her a scholarship to her dream university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There's no doubt that R Kelly is the sole true heir to Marvin Gaye's love-god crown, a position secured through single-minded devotion to his mind's one track.

Independent

Only decades of single-minded devotion could explain the perfection of each of these artists alone.

The New York Times - Arts

Some point to religious fanaticism that sees music as a distraction from single-minded devotion.

The New York Times

This time, the single-minded devotion that investors once had for domestic stocks may never return.

The New York Times

Dodd had none of Braun's single-minded devotion, nor did she spend evenings sitting by the phone.

The New York Times

He was not looking around, but listening to the person on the other end with single-minded devotion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The featured songs – People's Single-Minded Devotion, The Anthem of Belief and Will, and Let's Protect Socialism – are clear propaganda.

The Guardian

During my stint at the hotel, I witness numerous deviations from a single-minded devotion to customer service.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The "Little Liturgies" of 1944, enticing music in themselves, are also valuable in showing how early Messiaen's lifelong strain of single-minded religious devotion had set in.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Shafer seems to be trying to update the sympathetic critique of gay male sexual culture that Larry Kramer offered 25 years ago in his novel, "Faggots" -- to take hedonism seriously as a mode of self-discovery while suggesting how hazardous too single-minded a devotion to pleasure can be.

The New York Times

Doris, club manager for Windows on the World on the 107th floor of 1 World Trade Center, was single-minded in her devotion to her mother, a garment worker whose husband died last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance impact, pair "single-minded devotion" with verbs that emphasize action and achievement, such as 'pursued', 'strived', or 'dedicated', to showcase the tangible outcomes of such commitment.

Common error

While "single-minded devotion" is acceptable, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "unwavering dedication" or "intense commitment" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single-minded devotion" functions as a noun phrase, where 'single-minded' modifies 'devotion'. This phrase describes the quality or characteristic of having unwavering focus and dedication towards a particular goal or purpose, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "single-minded devotion" is a commonly used expression that describes unwavering commitment and focus towards a specific goal or cause. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across various reputable sources, including news outlets, academic publications, and encyclopedias. While "single-minded devotion" generally carries a positive connotation, it's crucial to ensure clarity in defining the object of devotion and to avoid overuse in formal writing by incorporating synonyms such as "unwavering dedication" or "intense commitment". Ultimately, understanding the context and potential implications helps in effectively conveying the intended message with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwavering dedication

Replaces 'single-minded' with 'unwavering', emphasizing the steadfast nature of the devotion.

absolute dedication

Uses 'absolute' instead of 'single-minded' to highlight the completeness of the dedication.

intense commitment

Substitutes 'devotion' with 'commitment' and 'single-minded' with 'intense', focusing on the strength of dedication.

focused dedication

Replaces 'single-minded' with 'focused', stressing the concentration of effort.

determined commitment

Uses 'determined' to emphasize the resoluteness behind the commitment.

unflinching commitment

Replaces 'single-minded' with 'unflinching', highlighting the steadfastness of the commitment.

resolute dedication

Substitutes 'single-minded' with 'resolute', stressing the firm decision behind the dedication.

passionate dedication

Adds 'passionate' to emphasize the emotional investment in the dedication.

zealous commitment

Uses 'zealous' to highlight the enthusiasm and fervor of the commitment.

undivided loyalty

Shifts from 'devotion' to 'loyalty', emphasizing faithfulness and allegiance.

FAQs

How can I use "single-minded devotion" in a sentence?

You can use "single-minded devotion" to describe someone's unwavering commitment to a goal. For example: "Her "single-minded devotion" to her studies earned her a scholarship."

What are some alternatives to "single-minded devotion"?

You can use alternatives like "unwavering dedication", "absolute dedication", or "intense commitment" depending on the context.

Is "single-minded devotion" a positive or negative trait?

"Single-minded devotion" can be both positive and negative. It's positive when it leads to achieving worthy goals, but negative if it causes someone to neglect other important aspects of life.

What's the difference between "single-minded devotion" and "obsession"?

"Single-minded devotion" implies a focused and dedicated pursuit, while "obsession" suggests an unhealthy and often irrational preoccupation. The key difference lies in the potential harm and imbalance caused by the latter.