stood alone

USAGE SUMMARY

"stood alone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an individual or thing that is separate, or singular, within a group (or even a crowd). For instance, you could say, "The elderly man stood alone on the street corner, waiting for the bus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another woman stood alone.

The New Yorker

Mangold stood alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Websites once stood alone.

MIT Technology Review

Again, Mr. Hileman stood alone.

The New York Times

Frank Kermode stood alone.

The Guardian - Books

But Mr. Miller stood alone.

The New York Times

But they never stood alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

There he stood, alone before Igor Akinfeev.

The Guardian - Sport

CHARACTERISTICALLY, Mr. Giuliani stood alone yesterday.

The New York Times

I stood alone watching the ragged clouds.

The New York Times - Science

New York has stood alone on this issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stood alone" to emphasize a physical or metaphorical sense of isolation, independence, or uniqueness. Consider the context to ensure the connotation aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "stood alone" when the intended meaning is simply 'waited'. While it can imply waiting in isolation, overusing it can lead to unintentional emphasis on solitude where it's not needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stood alone" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of isolation or independence. This construction is often used to emphasize the subject's solitary position, whether physically or metaphorically, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stood alone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that emphasizes isolation, independence, or uniqueness. As Ludwig AI indicates, its proper usage highlights a subject's solitary position, whether physically or metaphorically. While commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, its neutral register allows for broader application. To avoid misuse, be mindful of the specific nuance of isolation and consider alternative phrases like "was isolated" or "stood apart" for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stood apart

Implies a deliberate separation or distinction.

was by oneself

Highlights the solitary nature of the action.

was isolated

Focuses on the state of being separated from others.

remained isolated

Emphasizes the continuation of being separated from others.

was the only one

Highlights singularity and lack of companions.

was unique

Focuses on distinctiveness and being unlike others.

was singular

Stresses the uniqueness and individuality.

was unaccompanied

Focuses on the lack of companions.

remained independent

Emphasizes self-reliance and autonomy.

held a solitary position

Emphasizes holding an individual and separate position.

FAQs

How can I use "stood alone" in a sentence?

You can use "stood alone" to describe someone or something that is isolated or unique. For example, "He "stood alone" against the opposing team", or "The building "stood alone" on the hill".

What's the difference between "stood alone" and "stood apart"?

"Stood alone" generally implies physical or metaphorical isolation. "Stood apart" suggests distinction or deliberate separation, often due to differences in opinion or qualities.

Which is correct, "stood alone" or "stand alone"?

Both are correct, but they have different tenses. "Stand alone" is the present tense or infinitive form, while "stood alone" is the past tense.

What can I say instead of "stood alone" to convey isolation?

Alternatives include "was isolated", "was by oneself", or "remained independent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.