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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use single with prepositions

Single appears in several fixed expressions. The meaning changes depending on the preposition.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with single?

Use single for categories or purposes, single in for uniqueness within a group, and single from in expressions such as single from the crowd. Single to and single with are uncommon as fixed adjective patterns.

This ticket is single for one journey.
She was single in her determination.
He stood out single from the others.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
single for + purpose/category

Describing a type or intended use

Use single for categories, tickets, rooms, or uses.

We booked a room single for one guest.
This pass is single for today only.
2
single in + quality

Showing uniqueness in one aspect

Use single in to describe a unique feature or characteristic.

The town was single in its history.
3
single from + group

Separating one item from others

Single from can describe separation or distinction from a group.

One voice was single from the crowd.
4
single with + noun

Limited and uncommon combinations

Single with is not a common fixed adjective pattern, though with may introduce an additional phrase.

The report arrived single with a handwritten note.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
single for
This lane is single for buses only.
Describes a category, purpose, or restriction.
single in
She was single in her focus.
Highlights uniqueness in a quality.
single with
He arrived with a single bag.
With usually belongs to another phrase, not to single itself.
single to
The rule applies to every single student.
To is not normally selected by single as an adjective pattern.
single from
One error was singled from the report.
From can express separation, though singled out from is more common with the verb.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using single to as a fixed adjective pattern

Single does not normally take to directly.

✕ The device is single to this system. ✓ The device is unique to this system.

Confusing single with the verb singled

The verb singled out is often more natural for selection.

✕ She was single from the group. ✓ She was singled out from the group.

Using single with for comparison

With usually introduces a separate phrase, not a complement of single.

✕ The style is single with the old design. ✓ The style is similar to the old design.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. This ticket is single ___ one trip.
2. The artist was single ___ vision.
3. She was singled out ___ the crowd.

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Frequently asked questions

Can single be followed by for?

Yes. It is common with tickets, rooms, and categories.

Is single to correct?

Not usually as a fixed adjective pattern. Other adjectives such as unique to are more natural.

What is the difference between single and singled out?

Single is an adjective, while singled out is a verb phrase meaning selected or separated from others.

sacred-to-in-by-of, for "sad for" or "sad about"? "safe for", "safe from" or "safe in"? sanguine about, in, of, on or for? "satisfactory to" or "satisfactory for"? satisfied with, of, by, in or on? "satisfying for" or "satisfying to"? scarce in, for, at, on or of? scared of, to, about, for or by? "scary for" or "scary to"? "scathing about", "scathing in" or "scathing of"? "sceptical about" or "sceptical of"?

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