singular
/ˈsɪŋ.ɡjə.lər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪŋ.ɡjə.lɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɪŋɡjələ(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/ (ame, ipa)
singular — 形容詞
- singularpositive
- more singularcomparative
- most singularsuperlative
1. Relating to a word form that points to just a single person, object, or idea — a
單數的
表示一人或一物的語法形式
Relating to a word form that points to just a single person, object, or idea — as opposed to two or more.
The word 'child' is a singular noun, while 'children' is its plural form.
「child」這個字是單數名詞，而「children」是它的複數形式。
singular vs plural noun forms
Wei asked the teacher whether 'sheep' has the same form in both singular and plural.
Wei 問老師「sheep」的單數和複數形式是否相同。
In English, most singular nouns add an '-s' to become plural.
在英文中，大多數單數名詞加上「-s」就變成複數。
The verb 'goes' is the singular form that matches 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
動詞「goes」是搭配「he」、「she」或「it」使用的單數形式。
Amihan noticed that 'deer' does not change between its singular and plural uses.
Amihan 注意到「deer」這個字的單數和複數用法沒有差別。
- plural
the grammatical form for two or more items
文法句型
singular + noun
用法筆記
Frequently placed before grammar terms like 'noun', 'form', or 'verb'. The phrase 'in the singular' is used as an adverbial — for example, 'Write the word in the singular.'
常見錯誤
2. Much better or more impressive than what is usual; remarkably good in quality or
卓越的
品質或水準超乎尋常
Much better or more impressive than what is usual; remarkably good in quality or standard.
Valentina gave a singular performance that earned her a standing ovation from the crowd.
Valentina 的卓越演出贏得了全場觀眾的起立鼓掌。
singular + performance / contribution / talent
The research team made a singular contribution to cancer treatment that saved many lives.
該研究團隊對癌症治療做出了卓越貢獻，拯救了許多人的生命。
Nikos has a singular talent for fixing old cars that nobody else can repair.
Nikos 擁有修復舊車的卓越才能，別人修不好的車他都能修。
The chef's singular dessert mixed flavors that no one had tried together before.
那位主廚的獨特甜點混合了沒有人嘗試過的風味組合。
- exceptional
more common and slightly less formal; broader range of uses
- outstanding
emphasises visible excellence, often used for work or service
- remarkable
focuses on the fact that something is worth noticing or talking about
- unique
stresses being the only one of its kind; stronger and less flexible
文法句型
singular + abstract noun
用法筆記
Typically paired with abstract nouns like 'achievement', 'talent', 'contribution', or 'beauty'. Carries a more literary tone than 'great' or 'amazing'; use it when you want to stress that something stands out as unmatched.
常見錯誤
3. Unusual in a way that feels surprising or difficult to explain; odd or peculiar.
奇怪的
奇怪或難以理解的
Unusual in a way that feels surprising or difficult to explain; odd or peculiar.
Eli picked up a singular seashell unlike any he had seen before.
Eli 撿起一個奇怪的貝殼，外型和任何他見過的都不一樣。
singular + object / smell / pattern
There was a singular smell coming from the old shed behind Pim's house.
Pim 家後面的舊倉庫傳來一股奇怪的味道。
Liam noticed a singular pattern in the clouds that seemed to form a face.
Liam 注意到雲層中出現了一個奇怪的圖案，看起來像一張臉。
The old book contained a singular story about a village that disappeared overnight.
那本舊書裡收錄了一個奇怪的故事，描述一個在一夜之間消失的村莊。
文法句型
singular + noun
用法筆記
Describes something that sparks curiosity or mild unease rather than strong alarm. More literary than 'strange' or 'weird'; common in written narratives and descriptions.
常見錯誤
4. Relating to one specific person, thing, or case considered on its own, rather th
個別的
單獨考慮的每一個
Relating to one specific person, thing, or case considered on its own, rather than together with others.
Every singular item on the list must be checked before the shipment leaves the warehouse.
清單上的每一項個別物品都必須在出貨前檢查完畢。
each/every singular + noun
The teacher evaluated each singular answer separately before giving a final grade.
老師逐一評估每一個答案，然後才給出最終成績。
Faisal examined every singular piece of evidence before reaching his conclusion.
Faisal 在做出結論之前，檢查了每一件個別的證據。
Amani recorded the price of each singular product in the store's inventory system.
Amani 將店內每項個別產品的價格都記錄在庫存系統中。
- single
more common and less formal; used for simple quantity
- individual
emphasises separateness and distinct identity
- separate
stresses that something is not joined or combined with others
- multiple
involving many parts or items
- collective
relating to a group viewed as a whole
文法句型
each / every + singular + noun
用法筆記
Often appears after 'each' or 'every' to stress that items are being looked at one by one. In everyday English, 'single' or 'individual' is more natural; 'singular' in this sense has a formal, slightly bureaucratic tone.
常見錯誤
singular — 名詞
1. A word form that stands for just a single person, object, or idea — for example,
單數
指一個人或事物的詞形
A word form that stands for just a single person, object, or idea — for example, 'child' is a singular and 'children' is a plural.
The noun 'foot' is an irregular singular that becomes 'feet' in the plural.
名詞「foot」是不規則單數，複數變成「feet」。
irregular singular forms
Hui learned that 'mouse' becomes 'mice' in the plural, which differs from the singular.
Hui 學到「mouse」的複數是「mice」，與單數形式不同。
When changing a word from singular to plural, you often add '-s' or '-es'.
把單數改成複數時，通常要加上「-s」或「-es」。
Wei checked the dictionary to find the plural of 'crisis' starting from its singular.
Wei 查字典找出「crisis」從單數變成複數的拼法。
- singular form
fuller phrase, more explicit in grammar instruction
- plural
the form for two or more items
文法句型
in / into the singular
用法筆記
The opposite of 'plural'. Used mainly in grammar explanations and language teaching. Often follows prepositions: 'in the singular', 'from the singular', 'into the singular'. The word is uncountable — you do not say 'a singular' as a countable noun except in specialised linguistic analysis.