singly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "singly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done alone or individually, often in contrast to a group or multiple items. Example: "The items can be processed singly to ensure accuracy in the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would you be able, singly or in groups, to screw the slash-and-grab economy so badly that you forced it into a transition state beyond destructive competition?

The Guardian - Opinion

Usually, I've gleaned them singly from conversations, maps or books.

The Guardian - Books

Each of those has to be designed and built singly, run off each time.

The Economist

Which of these strategies – singly or in combination – seem most likely to work?  Anyone got any better ideas?

The Economist

And all, whether singly or in combination, have preceded previous recessions.Each recent day has brought more signs of a slowdown in the American economy.

The Economist

Some of these operations were done singly, others in concert with militias belonging to Fatah, Islamic Jihad or the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.Also in August, the Palestinians made a sustained effort to agree a common policy for the intifada.

The Economist

Chemotherapeutic drugs were used, singly and then in increasingly lethal combinations to try to destroy all abnormal cells.

The Economist

The markets have heard so many declarations of support from finance ministers in the past year that it makes little difference by now whether these are issued singly or, as this week, collectively.But it may yet be a political turning-point of sorts.

The Economist

There is an obvious regulatory gap.In reality, genes are poor predictors of most diseases in most people, and no genetic variant, either singly or in combination, meets medical-screening criteria for the general population.

The Economist

Singly and collectively he shot them down: the power-crazed politicians, the Hindutva fanatics, the "barbaric" mullahs of Pakistan, empty-headed Bollywood stars, commercialised cricket, modern cricket fans with their bugles and firecrackers, and the bare-bottomed defecators who lined city avenues in the mornings.

The Economist

"What types of mechanisms will allow developing countries to copy the rules that work well in the rest of the world?" he asks.Changing such bad rules singly is hard enough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "singly" to emphasize that items or actions are considered or performed individually, especially when contrasting with a group or combination. For example, "Process each item singly to ensure accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "singly" when you mean "solely" or "uniquely". "Singly" emphasizes individual action, while "solely" emphasizes exclusivity. For example, "He was solely responsible" is correct, not "He was singly responsible".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "singly" functions primarily to modify verbs, indicating that an action is performed individually or separately. Ludwig's examples illustrate this across various contexts, emphasizing the distinct nature of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "singly" functions as an adverb used to emphasize the individual or separate nature of an action or item. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples showcasing its application across diverse contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While "singly" is versatile, it's crucial to distinguish it from "solely" to maintain precision in writing. As shown by Ludwig, understanding these nuances allows for effective communication and precise expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Individually

Emphasizes the separate and distinct nature of an action or item.

One by one

Highlights a sequential, individual approach.

Separately

Indicates actions or items are not combined or grouped.

Alone

Focuses on the absence of others when performing an action.

Single-handedly

Suggests doing something without assistance.

On one's own

Stresses independence and lack of collaboration.

In isolation

Highlights the lack of connection to other elements.

Severally

Implies individual consideration within a larger group.

By itself

Indicates something is acting or existing without external influence.

In solo

Suggests a performance or action done by a single person.

FAQs

How can I use "singly" in a sentence?

"Singly" is used to emphasize that something is done individually or separately. For example, "The data points were analyzed singly to identify outliers."

What is a good alternative to "singly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "individually", "separately", or "alone". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "singly and collectively"?

Yes, "singly and collectively" is a valid construction. It emphasizes both individual and group actions or considerations. As seen in the examples from The Economist, it's often used to describe comprehensive approaches.

What's the difference between "singly" and "individually"?

While both words relate to separateness, "singly" often implies a more distinct, one-by-one approach, whereas "individually" focuses on the separate nature of each item or action. In many cases, they are interchangeable.