Single out meaning in English
Learn how to use Single out correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to single out: to distinguish, to choose one, to isolate (from a group)
It's unfair to single me out just because I'm not wearing pants. Let me stay with the others!
Examples
- "Brian : Someone has singled me out because of my ethnic origin, and is tormenting me with racist graffiti!"
- "I would have singled out just one person, but unfortunately science is not an exact science."
- "It would be unfair to single out just one, wouldn't it?"
Exercise 1
to single out | to catch on | to carry on
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate expression. Each term is used once.
Remember to conjugate the verbs appropriately!
Lions try a young animal when attacking a group. They have a greater chance of success when this animal is separated from the others.
The President talking yesterday despite the rotten tomatoes the audience were throwing at him.
It seems unlikely that your idea for a transparent swimming costume will , Philip.
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate expression. Each term is used once.
Remember to conjugate the verbs appropriately!
Lions try a young animal when attacking a group. They have a greater chance of success when this animal is separated from the others.
The President talking yesterday despite the rotten tomatoes the audience were throwing at him.
It seems unlikely that your idea for a transparent swimming costume will , Philip.
to single out | to catch on | to carry on
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate expression. Each term is used once.
Remember to conjugate the verbs appropriately!
Lions try to single out 1 a young animal when attacking a group. They have a greater chance of success when this animal is separated from the others.
The President carried on 2 talking yesterday despite the rotten tomatoes the audience were throwing at him.
It seems unlikely that your idea for a transparent swimming costume will catch on 3, Philip.
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate expression. Each term is used once.
Remember to conjugate the verbs appropriately!
Lions try to single out 1 a young animal when attacking a group. They have a greater chance of success when this animal is separated from the others.
The President carried on 2 talking yesterday despite the rotten tomatoes the audience were throwing at him.
It seems unlikely that your idea for a transparent swimming costume will catch on 3, Philip.
1 to single out: This is correct. The expression 'to single (somebody, something) out' means 'to select from a group' or 'to isolate'. Example: 'She was singled out for special treatment by her teacher'. We need the infinitive form of the verb here, because when the verb 'to try' is followed by a second verb, this must be in the infinitive (with 'to'). Example: 'I will try to arrive on time'. This is the same usage as in the conversation, when Bruno says 'It would be unfair to single out just one'.
2 carried on: This is correct. The expression 'to carry on (doing something)' means 'to continue'. Example: 'If you carry on crying, I will have to leave'. We need the simple past form of the verb here, to describe a completed action in the past (which happened 'yesterday'). Note that the term 'to carry on' is followed by a verb ending in '-ing'. As we hear in the conversation, the term 'to carry on' can also be used alone, without a second verb: 'I'd like to carry on, if you don't mind'. Note that the verb 'to carry' is irregular: carry/carried/carried.
3 catch on: This is correct. The expression 'to catch on' means 'to become popular'. Example: 'Recycling has really caught on in recent years'. In this example, the future tense is used, formed by 'will' + infinitive (without 'to'). Note that the verb 'to catch' is irregular: catch/caught/caught.
Exercise 2
"Someone has singled me out because of my ethnic origin ".
Brian means that someone because of his .
Brian means that someone because of his .
"Someone has singled me out because of my ethnic origin ".
Brian means that someone has discriminated against him 1 because of his racial background 2.
Brian means that someone has discriminated against him 1 because of his racial background 2.
1 has discriminated against him: This is correct. Action motivated by racial differences is "discrimination". To "single (somebody, something) out" means to choose a person or persons from a wider group or "to isolate". Example: "The boss singled me out to lead the new project team."
1 has said he is single: This is not correct. "Single" means "alone" or "unmarried". Example: "I think you'll like my cousin Jock, girls. He's rich, handsome and single."
1 has betrayed him: This is not correct. To betray someone means to fail to keep a promise to that person. Example: "I feel so betrayed. He's leaving me for his secretary's brother!"
2 racial background: This is correct. Brian says that he has received racist (anti-English) abuse. "Ethnic origin" refers to an individual's racial group or background. "Race" is the term used to distinguish between human communities. African Americans, Tutsis and Jews are examples of ethnic groups.
2 dress style: This is not correct. The abuse that Brian has received is anti-English and has nothing to do with his style of clothes. You can dress like someone from another ethnic group, but that won't make you a member. You are born into an ethnic group, and remain a member for life.
2 sexual habits: This is not correct. The abuse that Brian has received is anti-English and has nothing to do with his sexual habits. Brian's sexual behavior is unlinked to the fact that he is English.
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