1. to choose or identify one person or thing from a group
從群體中挑選或識別出一個人或事物
The teacher singled out the best essay for praise.
老師特別挑出最好的文章來表揚。
He was singled out for his exceptional performance.
他因表現出色而被特別選出。
Single Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
single
verb
快速理解
What does "Single" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Single"?
「single」作動詞時，主要表示從群體中挑選或識別出特定對象。
- 1
挑選出
EN: to choose or identify someone or something from a group
翻譯: 從群體中挑選或識別出某人或某物
- 2
特別注意
EN: to give special attention to someone or something
翻譯: 對某人或某物給予特別的關注
- 3
擊出一壘安打
EN: to hit a single in baseball
翻譯: 在棒球中擊出一壘安打
小提醒：注意「single out」這個常見片語，意思是「特別挑出（通常是為了批評或表揚）」，例如：The teacher singled him out for praise.（老師特別表揚了他）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Single" in English）
How to pronounce "Single" in English?"Single" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Single" from YouTube Videos
UK tells Israel not to retaliate as France set to recognise Palestinian state | BBC News
BBC News
“We have been clear, and I have been clear to the Israeli foreign minister, we have been clear to the Israeli government, that they must not do that The idea that Gaza, devastated by war, and the West Bank filled with Israeli settlements, could form a single state might seem a distant prospect, And Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said it would never happen, saying a Palestinian state would be a terrorist state.”
(1 out of 277)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Single"?How does "Single" change by context?
2. to hit a single in baseball
在棒球中擊出一壘安打
The batter singled to right field, advancing the runner.
打者擊出右外野一壘安打，讓跑者推進。
He singled in the ninth inning to drive in the winning run.
他在第九局擊出一壘安打，打回了致勝分。
3. to separate or distinguish from others
將…與其他事物分開或區別開來
The report singles three main factors contributing to the problem.
這份報告特別指出了導致該問題的三個主要因素。
Her unique style singles her work from the rest of the artists.
她獨特的風格使她的作品與其他藝術家區分開來。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Single"?How to make natural sentences with "Single"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| single + noun (out) | 挑出、選出 | The teacher singled him out for praise. (老師特別挑出他來表揚。) |
| single + noun (out) + for + noun | 為…而挑出… | She was singled out for her outstanding performance. (她因出色的表現而被特別挑出。) |
| single + noun (out) + as + noun | 挑出…作為… | The director singled her out as the lead actress. (導演挑選她作為女主角。) |
| be singled out + to + V | 被選出來做… | He was singled out to represent the team. (他被選出來代表團隊。) |
用法說明
How is "Single" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Single"?
single out vs single out for
- single out 通常指「挑選出」某人或某物，無論是為了表揚、批評或特別關注。其後常直接接名詞或代名詞。
- single out for 則用於明確指出挑選出來的目的或原因，其後接名詞（如
praise,criticism,special attention）或動名詞（V-ing）。 - 在表示「挑選出來做某事」時，美式英語有時會使用 single out to + V 的結構，但 single out for + N/V-ing 更為常見且正式。 EN: The teacher singled out two students to answer the difficult question. 翻譯: 老師特別挑出兩名學生來回答這個難題。
EN:The report singled out the department for its outstanding efficiency.
翻譯:這份報告特別點名表揚了該部門卓越的效率。
總結建議
在表示「為特定目的而挑選」時，建議使用「single out for + 名詞」的結構，語意最為清晰。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Single" and similar words?How to choose "Single" vs alternatives?
single vs select
「single」強調從群體中單獨挑出一個，通常帶有指定或強調唯一性的意味；「select」則著重於根據標準或品質進行精挑細選，可能選出一個或多個。
single vs choose
「single」著重於「單獨指出或挑出」一個特定對象；「choose」是更通用的「選擇」，範圍更廣，不強調「從群體中孤立出來」的動作。
single vs pick
「single」強調從群體中「單獨辨識或挑出」一個，動作較為正式且具針對性；「pick」是口語中更常見的「挑選」，動作可能較隨意或快速。
口語用法
How is "Single" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Single"?
引述
在口語中，常用 "single" 來引述或強調某個特定對象，語氣上帶有「唯獨這個」的意味。 EN: I'm not talking about all dogs, I'm talking about that single one that barks all night. 翻譯: 我不是在說所有的狗，我是在說那隻整晚叫個不停的狗。
EN:Out of everyone, she singled him out for praise.
翻譯:在所有人之中，她唯獨挑選他出來表揚。
語氣強調
用於加強語氣，強調「僅僅一個」、「連一個都沒有」的極端或否定情況。 EN: I didn't see a single person I knew at the party. 翻譯: 我在派對上連一個認識的人都沒看到。
EN:Not a single idea came to mind during the meeting.
翻譯:開會時腦子裡連一個點子都沒浮現。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，有時會用 "a single..." 作為短暫的停頓填充，帶有誇張或尋求共鳴的語氣。 EN: I just... I don't have a single clue what he's talking about. 翻譯: 我只是... 我完全搞不懂他在說什麼。
EN:You didn't leave me a single... okay, maybe one message.
翻譯:你連一條... 好吧，也許有一條訊息都沒留給我。
正式書寫注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 "single" 用於上述口語的停頓填充或過於情緒化的強調。建議使用更精確、中性的詞彙，例如 "sole", "only", "not even one" 來替代口語化的 "not a single..." 結構，以保持文體的嚴謹性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Single"?What fixed phrases with "Single" should I remember?
single out
single someone/something out
挑選出；特別指出
single-handedly
single-handedly do something
獨自地；單槍匹馬地
single-minded
be single-minded
一心一意的；專心致志的
single file
in single file
排成一列縱隊
single parent
be a single parent
單親家長
single bedroom
a single bedroom
單人房
single ticket
buy a single ticket
單程票
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Single"?Which "Single" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He singled the best candidate for the job.
✓He singled out the best candidate for the job.
作為動詞時，'single' 通常與 'out' 連用，構成片語動詞 'single out'，意為「挑選出、特別指出」。單獨使用 'single' 作為動詞（意為挑選）非常罕見，幾乎總是與 'out' 搭配。
×She singles to focus on one task at a time.
✓She singles out one task to focus on at a time. / She focuses on a single task at a time.
這裡混淆了形容詞 'single'（單一的）和動詞 'single out'（挑選出）的用法。想表達「專注於單一任務」應使用形容詞形式（a single task），或用動詞片語 'single out' 表達「從多個中挑選出一個」。原句結構錯誤。
×The report singled several problems.
✓The report singled out several problems.
動詞 'single' 在表示「挑選、指出」時，必須與介系詞 'out' 連用。缺少 'out' 會使句子不完整且語意不清。
×She didn't want to be singled in the meeting.
✓She didn't want to be singled out in the meeting.
在被動語態中，片語動詞 'single out' 的 'out' 仍然必須保留，不能省略。
×The coach singles out.
✓The coach singles out the hardest worker. / The coach singles someone out.
'Single out' 是及物動詞片語，必須接一個受詞（被挑選出來的人或物）。句子不能以 'singles out' 結束而沒有受詞。
×We need to single a new team leader.
✓We need to select/choose a new team leader. / We need to single out a candidate for team leader.
'Single out' 強調「從群體中特別挑出一個」，通常帶有突出、區別對待的意味。而一般性的「選擇」應用 'select' 或 'choose'。原句想表達的是「選擇」，但用了不準確的動詞。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Single"?What are tense/participle forms of "Single"?
singles(3rd_singular)singling(present_participle)singled(past)singled(past_participle)