alone
/əˈləʊn/ (bre, ipa) · [əlˈon] /əˈloʊn/ (ame, ipa)
alone — adjective
- alonepositive
- more alonecomparative
- most alonesuperlative
1. not with other people around you; by yourself.
not with other people around you; by yourself.
Eli waited alone on the dark platform after the last bus left.
be alone + place after an event
Aoi refused to walk home alone through the empty park.
walk home alone
The baby stopped crying once Jenna was alone with him.
After the meeting, Baraka stayed alone in the office to think.
Manuela felt nervous when she was alone in the unfamiliar house.
- by oneself
same idea in a more phrase-like form
- unaccompanied
more formal, especially for travel or visitors
- solitary
more literary and often stronger in tone
- together
with other people rather than by yourself
- accompanied
formal opposite used for travel or attendance
文法句型
be alone
be alone with somebody
alone in + place
用法筆記
Often follows verbs like be, feel, stay, or leave. Distinguish from adverb sense 1, which modifies an action such as travel, eat, or work.
常見錯誤
2. without another person or thing helping you.
without another person or thing helping you.
Karim repaired the leaking tap alone after watching two short videos.
do a task alone
Ayesha raised three children alone while working night shifts.
raise children alone
Hassan chose to travel alone instead of joining the company tour.
When the printer failed, Caleb finished the posters alone by hand.
The small shop cannot survive alone without regular weekend customers.
- independently
more formal and often used for organized work
- single-handedly
stresses that one person did all the work
- on one's own
very common phrase with the same core idea
文法句型
do something alone
raise somebody alone
survive alone
用法筆記
Focuses on lack of support, not simply lack of company. Someone can be with other people and still deal with a problem alone if nobody helps.
常見錯誤
3. feeling unhappy because you have nobody near you or nobody to turn to.
feeling unhappy because you have nobody near you or nobody to turn to.
Soraya felt alone after her roommate moved back to Ankara.
feel alone after a change
Even in a crowded hospital, the old man seemed alone.
Baraka felt alone when nobody answered his messages all weekend.
The new student sat alone and avoided everyone's eyes at lunch.
Jenna admitted she had never felt so alone before.
- lonely
the more direct and common adjective for the feeling
- isolated
often suggests being cut off from other people
- friendless
stronger and focused on lacking friends
文法句型
feel alone
seem alone
all alone
用法筆記
This sense is about emotion. Distinguish it from sense 1, which only states that no other people are present.
常見錯誤
4. used after a noun or pronoun to show that this person or thing is the only one.
used after a noun or pronoun to show that this person or thing is the only one.
Karim alone knew where the spare key was hidden.
noun/pronoun + alone
Of the three sisters, Aoi alone wanted to study physics.
This seat alone has enough space for a baby carrier.
The red file alone contains the signed contract.
In our team, Hassan alone can repair the old server.
- shared
not limited to one person or thing
文法句型
noun/pronoun + alone
用法筆記
This postpositive pattern often sounds more formal or emphatic than using 'only' before the noun.
常見錯誤
5. separate from other things around it rather than joined to them.
separate from other things around it rather than joined to them.
The white chapel stands alone on the hill above the harbor.
stand alone + place
One apple lay alone at the bottom of the basket.
The cabin sits alone beside the winter beach.
After the storm, one fence post remained alone in the field.
文法句型
stand alone
sit alone
remain alone
用法筆記
Often describes a building, object, or place that stands apart physically. Distinguish from idiom 'stand alone', which often means being independent rather than simply separate.
alone — adverb
1. with nobody else with you while you do something.
with nobody else with you while you do something.
Eli usually eats alone after the late shift at the bakery.
verb + alone
Ayesha traveled alone across Hualien during the school holiday.
Baraka laughed alone in the kitchen after reading the note.
Jenna prefers to study alone in the library basement.
Karim drove alone through the mountains before sunrise.
- by oneself
common phrase with the same meaning
- solo
more common before a noun, as in 'solo trip'
- independently
more formal and often about working methods
- together
with other people instead of on your own
文法句型
live alone
travel alone
eat alone
用法筆記
Usually follows the main verb. Distinguish it from adjective sense 1, which often comes after be or feel.
常見錯誤
2. used to show that one fact, thing, or amount is enough when considered separatel
used to show that one fact, thing, or amount is enough when considered separately.
The train fare alone cost more than our hotel room.
noun + alone for emphasis
One phone call alone was enough to calm the children.
The smell alone made Jenna step back from the fridge.
This receipt alone proves we paid the repair bill.
The rain alone ruined the street market before noon.
- by itself
close in meaning but less formal
- on its own
very common in speech and everyday writing
- solely
more formal and often used in abstract arguments
文法句型
noun + alone
amount + alone
用法筆記
Often adds emphasis after a noun phrase, especially when saying that one reason or one amount already makes the point clear.