singled out for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "singled out for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone or something has been chosen and separated from all other people or things. For example, "John was singled out for recognition for his hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Batman was singled out for homosexuality.

The New Yorker

Muslims are being singled out for attack.

The Guardian

Israel is singled out for special attention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senior executives were singled out for blame.

The New York Times

He loathes being singled out for approval.

The New York Times

It has not been singled out for these cuts.

The Economist

So whom have Washington policy makers singled out for help?

The New York Times

Nine shelters have been singled out for even closer scrutiny.

The New York Times

He also felt singled out for the arrest.

The New York Times - Sports

No provinces were singled out for blame or praise.

The Economist

Why is this case being singled out for publicity?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject of the phrase is the one receiving the special attention, as this phrase is most frequently used in the passive voice (e.g., "The CEO was singled out for blame").

Common error

Avoid using "singled out for" if the selection is purely random or carries no specific weight of scrutiny. Use "selected for" or "chosen for" when the act of picking is routine rather than emphasizing the contrast with the rest of the group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "singled out for" functions as a phrasal verb in the passive voice followed by a preposition. It serves to isolate a specific noun from a collective group to assign a particular attribute or consequence. According to Ludwig, it is almost always followed by a noun phrase explaining the reason for the isolation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "singled out for" is a highly effective linguistic tool for denoting specialized attention. Whether used to highlight a specific individual's failure or to celebrate a particular work's excellence, it provides a clear sense of isolation from the group. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in high-quality journalism and academic papers, proving its reliability across different disciplines. While it can carry a negative connotation—especially when paired with words like "blame" or "attack"—it remains a versatile choice for any context where differentiation and specificity are paramount. Writers should be mindful of the subject's relationship to the group to ensure the isolation implied by the phrase is intentional and accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selected for

Suggests a more deliberate and often positive choice from a group.

targeted for

Carries a stronger connotation of being aimed at, often for criticism or specific action.

chosen for

A simpler, neutral alternative for being picked from a set.

identified for

Often used in academic or diagnostic contexts to indicate recognition.

picked out for

A slightly more informal phrasal verb that maintains the sense of isolation.

distinguished for

Specifically implies being recognized for positive achievements or unique traits.

highlighted for

Focuses on the emphasis placed on a specific person or thing.

nominated for

Used when the selection is part of a formal award or position process.

earmarked for

Commonly used for resources or funds set aside for a specific purpose.

segregated for

Emphasizes the physical or social separation from the main group.

FAQs

How to use "singled out for" in a sentence?

You can use it to show someone was isolated for a specific reason, such as: "She was "singled out for" her exceptional leadership during the crisis."

What is the difference between "singled out for" and "selected for"?

While ""selected for"" is generally neutral or positive, "singled out for" often implies a more intense scrutiny or a sharp contrast between the individual and the group, whether for praise or criticism.

Is "singled out for" always negative?

No, it is not always negative. As seen in Ludwig examples, subjects can be "singled out for praise" or "singled out for approval" just as often as they are for blame.

What can I say instead of "singled out for"?

Depending on the tone, you can use "targeted for" if the intent is negative, "distinguished for" if it is a positive achievement, or ""chosen for"" for a more neutral tone.