singularly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "singularly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize something as being unique or exceptional. Example: "She singularly focused on her goal, ignoring all distractions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The incident was deemed to have been 'behavior that is flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament or is singularly egregious'".

The Guardian - Sport

Richard Grenell, a longtime US spokesman at the United Nations who was briefly a national security spokesman for the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, said Clinton was, ironically, in a singularly vulnerable spot on foreign policy among the potential candidates.

The Guardian

Granted, she's riffing on the same character each season (the singularly driven fading starlet), but the character's a doozie so it doesn't really matter.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Brian McAvera Downpatrick, County Down Not content to heap singularly harsh criticism on the work of the departing director of Tate Britain, Penelope Curtis, Jonathan Jones goes so far as to suggest that the gallery should close down and dispose of its collections.

The Guardian - Arts

"The people who singularly would benefit from that extra £10bn – the housing sector – don't campaign for it.

The Guardian

But with the world economy slowing, it is singularly ill-timed nonetheless.

The Economist

But it turns out that military spending is actually a singularly good proxy for measuring just how big the multiplier for government spending is.

The Economist

The self-styled decider was also singularly lacking in decisiveness.

The Economist

Mr McCain has singularly failed to mend fences with other leaders of the religious right such as Paul Weyrich (whom he once described as a "pompous self-serving son of a bitch") and Mr Robertson.

The Economist

I expect that there are such doctors, and she has simply not found one, but she is a singularly motivated professional, so it is not for lack of trying.

The Economist

His conclusion is unambiguous: though reducing carbon-dioxide emissions will not end all human influence on climate, it is a necessary step towards reducing the risk of severe dislocation.The dilemma is that policies to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions have so far been singularly unsuccessful.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid sounding overly formal or pretentious, consider the context and audience. In some cases, a simpler word like "uniquely" or "especially" may be more appropriate.

Common error

While "singularly" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual or informal writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnatural or overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "uniquely" or "especially" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "singularly" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to emphasize the unique or exceptional quality of an action or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its role in adding emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "singularly" functions as an adverb to emphasize uniqueness or exceptionality. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical standing. It is commonly used in formal and neutral contexts, especially in news and media, to highlight distinctive qualities. While grammatically sound, it should be used judiciously to prevent overuse in informal settings. Alternatives like "uniquely" or "especially" can provide simpler, yet effective, options. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "singularly" is a reliable choice for adding emphasis in appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniquely

Focuses on the distinctiveness of something, emphasizing that it is unlike anything else.

exceptionally

Highlights the quality of being an exception, standing out due to merit or skill.

particularly

Emphasizes a specific aspect or detail, making it stand out from others.

remarkably

Stresses the noteworthiness or unusual nature of something, making it deserving of attention.

uncommonly

Indicates that something occurs infrequently or is not typical.

especially

Highlights something as being prominent or significant compared to others.

distinctively

Focuses on the unique and easily recognizable character of something.

notably

Draws attention to something significant or worthy of mention.

patently

Emphasizes the obviousness or clarity of something.

strikingly

Highlights the impressive or attention-grabbing quality of something.

FAQs

How can I use "singularly" in a sentence?

You can use "singularly" to emphasize that something is unique or exceptional. For example, "She was "singularly devoted" to her work", or "The project was "singularly successful"".

What are some alternatives to using "singularly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "uniquely", "especially", "particularly", or "exceptionally".

Is it correct to use "singularly" in formal writing?

Yes, "singularly" is appropriate for formal writing. It adds emphasis and sophistication to your language, making it suitable for academic, business, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "singularly" and "uniquely"?

While both words suggest something is distinct, "singularly" often implies a higher degree of emphasis or exceptionality. "Uniquely" simply means being one of a kind, whereas "singularly" suggests something stands out in a notable way.