singling out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "singling out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you would like to emphasize that one person or thing has been chosen from among a larger group. For example: "The President singled out Bob for his exceptional performance in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I find myself singling out every noise.

Columbia University

"But now we're still singling out Arabs.

The New York Times

Singling out China-based firms wouldn't help.

The Guardian - Tech

The university is now singling out just two".

Independent

Arizona is not alone in singling out toilets.

The New York Times

Nuttall said the party's policies were not singling out Muslims.

The Guardian

It is singling out the Jewish state for boycott".

The Guardian

In interviews, Mr. Thoubboron denied singling out anyone.

The New York Times

Of course, Orman wasn't singling out Dole, and what he said wasn't a big deal.

The New Yorker

For now, it is singling out Knight Ridder, but it could attack the others.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was this singling-out that I was watching.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "singling out" when you want to emphasize that a specific person or thing is being treated differently from others in a group. Consider the potential connotations, as it can sometimes imply unfairness or discrimination.

Common error

Avoid using "singling out" in situations where a neutral selection is intended. Opt for terms like "selecting" or "choosing" if you do not want to imply any negative bias or undue emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "singling out" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present participle form of the verb "single out". It describes an ongoing action of selecting or treating someone or something differently from others. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "singling out" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of selecting someone or something from a group for distinct attention or treatment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, it's crucial to be mindful of its potential negative connotations suggesting unfairness or discrimination. While it appears frequently in various contexts, "singling out" is notably common in news and media, science and formal business settings. When aiming for a neutral tone, consider synonyms such as "selecting" or "identifying". The user should consider the potentially negative connotations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

picking out

Focuses on the act of choosing, often with a less critical connotation than "singling out".

highlighting

Suggests drawing attention to something, often to emphasize its importance.

identifying

Emphasizes recognition and naming, useful when the goal is to point something specific.

focusing on

Indicates a deliberate act of concentrating attention on a particular subject or object.

zeroing in on

Implies a concentrated focus, as if adjusting aim to a specific target.

selecting

A more general term for choosing someone or something, without the potential negative connotation of "singling out".

distinguishing

Suggests emphasizing the differences between one item and others.

pointing out

Highlights a specific detail or aspect, often to make it known or understood.

calling out

Can imply either praise or criticism, depending on the context; often used to highlight a specific action or attribute.

isolating

Implies setting something apart for specific attention, which can be neutral or negative.

FAQs

How can "singling out" be used in a sentence?

You can use "singling out" to indicate the act of distinguishing one entity from a group. For example, "The teacher was accused of "singling out" certain students for preferential treatment".

What's a more neutral alternative to "singling out"?

If you want to avoid the potentially negative connotations of "singling out", consider using alternatives like "selecting", "choosing", or "identifying", depending on the intended meaning.

Does "singling out" always imply negative intent?

While "singling out" can suggest unfair or discriminatory treatment, it's not always negative. It can simply mean focusing on something specific. The context determines whether it's perceived positively, negatively, or neutrally.

When is it appropriate to use "singling out" instead of "highlighting"?

Use "singling out" when emphasizing differential treatment or focused attention on one entity, often with the implication of a reason or motive. Use "highlighting" when you want to draw attention to something important without necessarily implying differential treatment.