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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Singly/Singularly
According to an online dictionary,
Singular can be defined as individual.
Singularly can be defined as in a singular manner.
Singly--alone
So is there a difference in meaning between singularly and singly? Or are they interchangeable?
Thanks
Singular can be defined as individual.
Singularly can be defined as in a singular manner.
Singly--alone
So is there a difference in meaning between singularly and singly? Or are they interchangeable?
Thanks
Top answer
Since we're talking about adverbs here, we can at least distinguish the actor from the action, and from the object(s) of the action. " (one at a time) I think "singularity" refers more to the actor himself. " His approach to the task was unique in some way.
- Since we're talking about adverbs here, we can at least distinguish the actor from the action, and from the object(s) of the action.
- " (one at a time) I think "singularity" refers more to the actor himself.
- " His approach to the task was unique in some way.
- " (uniquely ugly)
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3 Answers
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Since we're talking about adverbs here, we can at least distinguish the actor from the action, and from the object(s) of the action.
If you're talking about a process, you'd probably say, "He examined the eggs singly." (one at a time)
I think "singularity" refers more to the actor himself.
"He examined the eggs singularly." His approach to the task was unique in some way.
If you're talking about a process, you'd probably say, "He examined the eggs singly." (one at a time)
I think "singularity" refers more to the actor himself.
"He examined the eggs singularly." His approach to the task was unique in some way.
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'In a singular manner' does not mean 'in an alone manner'. It means 'in a distinctive manner'.
Singly = one by one: They crossed the suspension bridge singly = They crossed it one at a time.
Singularly = distinctively: They crossed the suspension bridge singularly = They crossed it by hanging by their toes, by brachiating, by saltating, etc.
Singly = one by one: They crossed the suspension bridge singly = They crossed it one at a time.
Singularly = distinctively: They crossed the suspension bridge singularly = They crossed it by hanging by their toes, by brachiating, by saltating, etc.
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Thank you both.
it's confusing because singular can mean individual, so when the adverb form is defined as in a singular manner, singular, here, could be interpreted as this former definition.
So here it is:
Singular--individual &
Singular--unique
Singly--one by one
Singularly--uniquely
it's confusing because singular can mean individual, so when the adverb form is defined as in a singular manner, singular, here, could be interpreted as this former definition.
So here it is:
Singular--individual &
Singular--unique
Singly--one by one
Singularly--uniquely
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