singly
singly — adverb
1. if something is done singly, each action or item is handled one after another in
if something is done singly, each action or item is handled one after another instead of together in a group — for example, taking questions singly instead of several at once, or placing items singly on a shelf.
The teacher asked the students to come forward singly and collect their certificates.
Each item in the list was checked singly before being added to the final report.
passive: was checked singly (procedural context)
Ziad placed the chairs singly along the wall, leaving space between each one.
The label on the bottle says the tablets should be taken singly, not crushed together.
Sari opened the envelopes singly, reading each letter before moving to the next.
- individually
more common and neutral; 'singly' emphasises the sequential nature while 'individually' focuses on each separate unit
- one by one
more informal and conversational; interchangeable in most contexts
- separately
emphasises lack of a group rather than the order of handling
- alone
adds a sense of solitude or lack of company, which 'singly' does not carry
- together
in a group or all at once
- collectively
as a whole group rather than individual units
文法句型
used as an adverb modifying the verb, describing how each action or item is handled
用法筆記
Most common with verbs that describe handling, checking, or dealing with items one after another. Frequently found in instructions, procedural writing, and formal descriptions.