was still single

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was still single" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's relationship status, indicating that they have not yet entered into a romantic partnership or marriage at a particular time. Example: "At the age of 30, she was still single, focusing on her career and personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Erika was still single.

The New Yorker

Was this the reason I was still single?

The New York Times

"I was hoping she was still single," he said.

The New York Times

The Tickle Monster At 41, Robert Fazio Jr. was still single.

The New York Times

So I was still single when I got a phone call from Yoshiko.

The New Yorker

Benji's size, in combination with his light-yellow complexion, was probably why he was still single.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Where's the headmaster's office?" Paul Frisch had attended the school as a teen-ager, back when it was still single-sex.

The New Yorker

Pawel noted that he was still singled out by the same anti-Semites who once counted him among their ranks.

The New York Times

He is still single.

The New York Times

"Because I'm still single.

The New York Times

Some of these people are still single!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was still single", consider the context. If the person's age or life stage makes singleness unexpected, the phrase can subtly imply societal expectations or personal choices.

Common error

Be mindful of potential negative connotations. While factually accurate, framing someone as "still single" can inadvertently suggest something is lacking in their life. Consider rephrasing to emphasize positive aspects or choices, like "focused on career" or "enjoying independence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was still single" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating an individual's marital status at a specific point in time. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, this expression is used across various contexts, especially in news and media, to provide context or background information about a person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was still single" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote an individual's unmarried status at a particular time. As verified by Ludwig AI, it commonly appears in news and media contexts to provide background information or contextualize a narrative. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of potential negative connotations and consider rephrasing to emphasize positive aspects when appropriate. Alternatives such as "remained unmarried" or "had not yet married" can also be used depending on the desired emphasis. Overall, the phrase is a clear and concise way to convey someone's relationship status in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to be single

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of being single, slightly more emphatic.

was without a spouse

Directly states the absence of a marital partner.

remained unmarried

Focuses on the lack of marriage without necessarily implying a temporary state.

had not yet married

Highlights the absence of prior marriage, suggesting potential for future marriage.

was yet to marry

Emphasizes the future possibility of marriage, differing slightly in temporal focus.

persisted in being single

Suggests a conscious choice or continued state of singleness.

had not found a partner

Broader than marriage, encompasses not having a long-term relationship.

was unattached

Implies a lack of romantic connection, not specifically marriage.

was not in a relationship

Focuses on the lack of any romantic relationship, wider than marriage.

was still uncommitted

Implies a lack of commitment in general, not just marital.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "was still single"?

Saying someone "was still single" means that at a particular time in the past, they had not yet married or entered into a long-term romantic relationship.

Is it impolite to say someone "was still single"?

It depends on the context and tone. While factually accurate, the phrase can sometimes carry a subtle negative connotation, implying something is missing. Consider focusing on positive aspects instead, such as saying they "focused on their career" or "enjoyed their independence".

What are some alternatives to "was still single"?

Alternatives include "remained unmarried", "had not yet married", or "was not in a relationship". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How does age affect the interpretation of "was still single"?

The interpretation can vary with age. Saying a 25-year-old "was still single" carries less weight than saying the same about a 45-year-old, as societal expectations around marriage often shift with age.