这是一种强调说法，意思是“一个……也没有”。又如：

Not a single sound was heard. 一点声音也没听到。

Not a single soldier was killed. 没有一个士兵阵亡。

Not a single sound fell from her lips. 她一个字也没有说。

Not a single person offered to help her. 没有一个人主动出来帮她。

Not a single student in the class got the problem out. 班上无一人解出这道题。

Not a single one of her neighbours gave her any help. 没有一个邻居帮过她忙。

Not a single missile got through the defense system. 没有一枚导弹突破该防御系统。

注：当位于句首的 not a single…不是用作主语时，其后要用倒装语序。中：

Not a single fish did he catch the whole afternoon. 他整个下午一条鱼 也没捕到。

Not a single man did he see on the street in such cold weather. 这么冷的天，他在街上一个人也没见到。