A characterization is given of
the finitely generated nonsingular left R-modules N such that ExtR1(N,M) = 0 for
every singular left R-module M. As a corollary, the rings R, over which the singular
submodule Z(A) is a direct summand of every finitely generated left R-module A, are
characterized. This characterization takes on a simplified form whenever R is
commutative. An example is given to show that a ring R, over which the singular
submodule Z(A) is a direct summand of every left R-module A, need not be right
semi-hereditary.