singly or collectively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "singly or collectively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies to individuals alone or to a group as a whole. Example: "The committee members can vote singly or collectively on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

None of these results, either singly or collectively, are strong enough for scientists to claim victory.

The New York Times - Science

I am talking about third parties governments, labor unions, and other interest groups that, singly or collectively, can block profitable entry into a market.

Harvard Business Review

But singly or collectively these answers don't quite add up, don't account for the intensity of the feelings, don't explain why, for example, some academics boycott Israeli professors and require them to renounce the policies of their government as the price of entry into the scholarly conversation.

The New York Times

Respect for the right of each nation to defend itself singly or collectively, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

It was shown how these could, singly or collectively, be used to identify areas in which to prospect for operator judgement activities.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Respect of the Right of each nation to defend itself, singly or collectively, in conformity with the charter of the United Nations;   6.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I would not be interested in selling the casinos, either singly or jointly," he replied.

The New York Times

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

From the White House, LBJ worked the phones; invited senators and representatives singly and collectively in for coffee, drinks or dinner; listened attentively in private to opponents and proponents from interests as varied as business, labor, medicine and religion; and kept in his head a running tally of the fluctuating vote count.

Huffington Post

"Singly and collectively," these events were either irrelevant or innocuous and were "insufficient to give rise to reasonable suspicion," the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said in granting the motion filed by the driver, Ralph Arvizu, to suppress the evidence.

The New York Times

All of them behaved, singly and collectively, with studied eccentricity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "singly or collectively", ensure the context clearly indicates what entities or actions are being considered both individually and as a group.

Common error

Avoid using "singly or collectively" in sentences where the distinction between individual and group action is already obvious. Simpler phrasing often enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "singly or collectively" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate whether the action or state applies to individual entities or a group as a whole. As Ludwig AI explained, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "singly or collectively" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate that a statement applies both to individual entities and to a group as a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, its register leans toward neutral to formal. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the context clearly defines the entities being considered, and avoid overuse in simple sentences where the distinction is already obvious. Alternatives such as "individually or as a group" or "separately or together" may offer a simpler, more direct approach in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Individually or as a group

Replaces technical terms with more common vocabulary.

Separately or together

Emphasizes the dichotomy between individual and combined action.

Alone or in combination

Highlights the possibility of working independently or jointly.

Independently or jointly

Focuses on the autonomy versus collaboration in actions.

On their own or in concert

Uses a more formal tone to convey individual versus coordinated efforts.

By oneself or as a unit

Contrasts solitary action with group cohesion.

In isolation or as a whole

Highlights the difference between separate actions and a unified approach.

Severally or jointly

Employs legal terminology to express individual versus group liability or responsibility.

Each one alone or all together

Simplifies the concept using basic vocabulary, suitable for less formal contexts.

Whether alone or together

Focuses on if something happens individually or with a group

FAQs

How can I use "singly or collectively" in a sentence?

Use "singly or collectively" to indicate that an action, decision, or effect can apply to individual entities or to a group as a whole. For example, "The data points, "singly or collectively", suggest a significant trend."

What does "singly or collectively" mean?

"Singly or collectively" means that something applies whether considered individually or when considered as a group. It emphasizes that the outcome is relevant in either case.

What are some alternatives to "singly or collectively"?

Alternatives include "individually or as a group", "separately or together", or "alone or in combination". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to use "singly or collectively"?

In some contexts, using "singly or collectively" might be seen as redundant if the individual and group implications are already clear. Evaluate whether the phrase adds necessary emphasis or clarity to your sentence.