their singular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their singular" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in discussions about grammar or linguistics, particularly when referring to the singular form of a pronoun or noun that is typically plural. Example: "In the context of grammar, we often discuss how 'they' can function as their singular form."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their instantaneous kinematics and singularity analysis are addressed, too: all their singular configurations are identified through analytic and geometric conditions, whose static interpretation is given.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

Plural "their," singular "student".

The New York Times

Singular "therapist," plural "their," singular "her".

The New York Times

Even between shots, nothing breaks their singular focus.

The New York Times - Sports

Ivan's French prunes come out of nowhere, and surprise us with their singular surplus: Why prunes?

The New Yorker

He attributes priests' continued hold over their flocks to their singular power to administer the Eucharist.

The New Yorker

This scheme reveals the similarities of different places, but also isolates their singular aspects.

The New York Times

So it is that the Soledad Brothers travel the world, preaching their singular and inspirational vision.

The Guardian - Music

"Well, if men want to have their singular prize, then they absolutely can do that, too".

The Guardian - Books

Nevertheless, the artists represented here have responded strongly to their singular environment.

The New York Times

The Dance Collection is an ever-growing trove to which people go on bequeathing their singular collections.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "their singular", ensure that the context clearly indicates a quality, focus, or aspect that is uniquely characteristic of the group you are referring to. While not considered standard, it can effectively emphasize a defining trait.

Common error

Avoid using "their singular" when a more common and precise adjective like "unique", "specific", or "particular" would better convey your intended meaning. Overusing "their singular" can make your writing sound unnatural or affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their singular" functions as a determiner phrase, where "their" is a possessive pronoun and "singular" is an adjective modifying a noun. It indicates a particular attribute or characteristic that is unique or especially important to a group. The phrase is used to highlight a specific focus or quality. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this is not a standard construction, but is indeed acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "their singular" is used to emphasize a specific, unique, or defining characteristic of a group. While Ludwig AI identifies it as a non-standard phrase, it is nevertheless grammatically acceptable and quite common, particularly in news and scientific writing. It serves to highlight what sets a group apart or their main focus. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates a quality, focus, or aspect uniquely characteristic of the group. When a common and precise adjective like "their unique", "their specific", or "their particular" would better convey your intended meaning, be sure to use it instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their unique

Emphasizes the uniqueness belonging to them.

their particular

Highlights a specific characteristic or trait they possess.

their distinct

Focuses on a clear difference that sets them apart.

their special

Indicates something valuable or cherished that belongs to them.

their idiosyncratic

Suggests a peculiar or individualistic quality they have.

their remarkable

Highlights a characteristic that's noteworthy or exceptional about them.

their exceptional

Indicates a quality that is above the norm for them.

their unparalleled

Suggests there's nothing that can compare to their specific attribute.

their sole

Indicates their only quality/attribute/feature.

their distinctive

Highlights a characteristic that serves to distinguish them.

FAQs

How can I use "their singular" in a sentence?

The phrase "their singular" is used to describe a characteristic or aspect that is unique or particularly emphasized within a group. For example, "The artists were known for their singular style." Consider alternatives like "their unique" or "their distinctive" if it sounds too awkward.

What can I say instead of "their singular"?

You can use alternatives like "their unique", "their particular", or "their distinct" depending on the context. These alternatives may provide greater clarity and flow.

Which is correct, "their singular" or "its singular"?

"Their singular" is used to describe a characteristic of a plural entity, while "its singular" would be used for a single entity. For example, "The team focused on their singular goal," versus, "The company promoted its singular vision."

What's the difference between "their singular" and "their unique"?

While both phrases emphasize a quality specific to a group, "their singular" suggests that the quality is the only one of its kind they possess or focus on, whereas "their unique" simply suggests that the quality is distinct from that of others. The degree of emphasis differs.