Cool MateAlone vs Single vs Solitary
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Alone
Top 1,000 (very common)A2
Single
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Solitary
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
| Alone | Single | Solitary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈləʊn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈləʊn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪŋɡl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪŋɡl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsɒl.ɪ.tər.i//🇺🇸 //ˈsɑː.lɪ.tɛr.i// |
| Meaning | by yourself; not with anyone else | One person or thing. | Being alone or without companions. |
| Example | I like to spend some time alone to think about my day. | He prefers to live a single life without any commitments. | He preferred a solitary life in the mountains. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, sit, stand, very much, all, completely, with, be, sit, stand, very much, all, completely, with, be, sit, stand, very much, all, completely, with | single person, single item, single ticket, single life, single parent | solitary confinement, solitary journey, solitary lifestyle |
| Antonyms | together, accompanied, with others | multiple, coupled, together | social, accompanied, gregarious |
| Common mistakes | 'alone' vs 'lonely', confused when feeling lonely, Using 'aloneness' as a noun incorrectly, Saying 'I am alone' when needing to report being safe; prefer 'I am okay.' | Mixing up with 'singly' which has a different meaning., Using 'single' when referring to multiple items or people., Confusing 'single' with 'alone', which has a different connotation. | Confusing with 'solo', which often implies a choice rather than loneliness., Using inappropriately to describe a group context., Overusing in social contexts where 'alone' is more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'alone' when referring to a state of being by oneself. It can be used positively (enjoying solitude) or negatively (feeling lonely). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where 'solitary' might be preferred. | Used to describe someone not in a relationship. In formal contexts, it can refer to a single item. Avoid using in very casual or slang conversations where 'solo' might be more suitable. | Use 'solitary' to describe situations where someone or something is alone. It sounds formal; avoid it in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Alone vs Single vs Solitary
What's the difference between Alone, Single, and Solitary?
Alone: by yourself; not with anyone else Single: One person or thing. Solitary: Being alone or without companions.
Are Alone, Single, and Solitary the same CEFR level?
Alone: A2, Single: A2, Solitary: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Alone, Single, and Solitary interchangeably?
Not always. Alone, Single, and Solitary are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.