Single out means to choose one person or thing from a group and give them special attention. Most often it's for praise or for criticism: the judge singled out the final photo for praise. If someone complains they were singled out, they feel they alone were treated unfairly.
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single someone out for praise / criticism; single out one example
- The judge singled out the final photograph for praise.
- It is unfair to single one volunteer out for a mistake the whole team made.
- The report singled out three areas that needed attention.
What changed
First versionThe teacher singled out her for praise.
RevisionThe teacher singled her out for praise.
We say chose her or praised her, with the pronoun at the end, so singled out her seems natural. But with a phrasal verb a short pronoun goes inside: singled her out. The reason comes with for: singled her out for praise.
Stand out means be noticeable yourself: her photo stood out. Single out means someone else picks you: the judge singled her photo out. Pick on means keep criticising or teasing someone, and it's always unpleasant.
Your turn
Choose the correct pronoun position: Of all the entries, the judge ___.
Show the answer
singled it out — In single out, the pronoun it goes between single and out: singled it out.
Describe who, or whose work, got special praise at a competition, lesson or job.
The organiser singled out the volunteers at the entrance for their patient help.
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