a certain individual for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain individual for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific person without naming them directly, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The committee has decided to appoint a certain individual for the position of advisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If a publication or television station seeks a certain individual for political commentary, that can be found quite easily on Twitter or the Bitcoin Forum.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I'm looking for a certain individual," I said.

The New York Times

They hope to translate the findings into diagnostic tests that can help to predict which patients will experience side effects from antibiotics, or the best diet option for a certain individual.

MIT Technology Review

In other words it is not simply a case of the team director expressing a wish for a certain individual and it is hard to see how Flower's successor could operate properly unless he was comfortable with the man leading the side.

The Guardian - Sport

Regression models were used to determine the "expected" outcome for a certain individual baseline score.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The twist is that the result of a test, in the form of a miRNA profile for a certain individual, needs to be interpreted by comparing it with a number of other (known) profiles in order to produce a diagnosis.

BioMed Research International

It is indeed impossible for a certain individual to learn a new language rapidly.

WikiHow

No one lives in these homes yet, but each has been furnished with a certain individual in mind, and laid out for that person's imagined life.

The New York Times

"There are times when I'll go outside," Mr. Hughes said, "and Ms. Jones will point out a certain individual who has been coming in for X amount of years".

The New York Times

"I think this thing needs to be tied in a bow for certain individuals to have a clean break from an incident that have become and will continue to be a scandal and an anchor around a certain individuals neck who may want to run for president," Fox News contributor Peter Hegseth said.

HuffPost

Other features include the ability to block responses to certain individuals, for example, a spouse who is tired of receiving automated messages every time you are in a meeting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain individual for" when you want to refer to someone without explicitly naming them. This can be useful in formal contexts or when the person's identity is not relevant to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain individual for" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "someone" or "a person" are more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain individual for" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a particular person for a given purpose. It's used to denote a specific individual without explicitly naming them, often implying that their identity is known but being intentionally withheld. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a certain individual for" is a grammatically correct way to refer to a specific, unnamed person for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears most frequently in news media, scientific literature and academic writing, suggesting a formal or neutral register. When choosing to use this phrase, consider whether a simpler alternative like "someone" or "a person" would be more appropriate for the context. The phrase is best suited for formal situations where it's necessary to withhold the individual's name while still indicating a specific person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific person for

Replaces "certain" with "specific", making the reference more direct.

a particular person for

Substitutes "certain" with "particular", emphasizing a specific choice.

an unnamed individual for

Replaces "certain" with "unnamed", highlighting the anonymity of the person.

a designated person for

Substitutes "certain" with "designated", indicating an official assignment.

a selected individual for

Replaces "certain" with "selected", implying a deliberate choice.

a given person for

Uses "given" instead of "certain", suggesting a predetermined or assumed individual.

an identified person for

Substitutes "certain" with "identified", indicating that the person has been recognized, even if not named.

a respective individual for

Replaces "certain" with "respective", referring to an individual that is appropriate to a specific need or situation.

a defined individual for

Uses "defined" instead of "certain", suggesting that the person meets specific criteria or a clear profile.

one person for

Simplifies the phrase by using "one" instead of "a certain individual", making it less formal.

FAQs

What does "a certain individual for" mean?

The phrase "a certain individual for" refers to a specific, but unnamed, person who is being considered or sought after for a particular reason or purpose. It implies that the person is known or identifiable, but their name is being withheld.

When is it appropriate to use "a certain individual for"?

It's appropriate to use "a certain individual for" in formal writing, legal documents, or professional contexts where it's necessary to refer to someone without disclosing their identity. In more casual settings, simpler terms like "someone" or "a person" are usually preferred.

What are some alternatives to "a certain individual for"?

Alternatives include "a specific person for", "a particular person for", or "an unnamed individual for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The best choice will depend on the context and the reason for not naming the person.

Is "a certain individual for" the same as "certain individuals for"?

No, "a certain individual for" refers to one specific person, while "certain individuals for" refers to multiple people. The plural form indicates that there are several people being considered or sought after, not just one.