a certain person

USAGE SUMMARY

"a certain person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who you do not want to name or whose identity is not important to the context. For example, "A certain person I know strongly believes that true success depends on hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The term identity theft is commonly used to refer to the crime of using personal information of someone else to illegally pretend to be a certain person [38].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

There will be a certain person of yours over there. . . .

The New Yorker

"You said a certain person has been accused.

The Guardian

"But they're not prejudiced toward a certain person.

The New York Times - Sports

"It takes a certain person to want to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

You didn't walk away thinking, well, that sounded like a certain person, place or time.

The New York Times - Arts

"It takes a certain person who can walk in both worlds".

The New York Times

A person looks and thinks, 'This must be changed.' " A certain person, anyway.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought of myself as a certain person and suddenly I wasn't".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But every now and then, the word perfectly explains a certain person.

The New York Times - Books

A Certain Person, whom I cannot bring myself to name, has been very difficult.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain person" when you want to avoid naming someone directly, either to protect their identity or because their specific identity is not crucial to the point you're making.

Common error

While "a certain person" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound vague or evasive. In formal contexts, consider if providing a specific identifier (e.g., "the defendant", "the lead researcher") would improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain person" functions as an indefinite pronoun referring to an unspecified individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used when the identity is unknown, irrelevant, or intentionally concealed. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in news, academic, and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

24%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain person" is a versatile way to refer to someone without naming them, suitable for various writing styles. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It's essential for maintaining anonymity or when the person's specific identity is not crucial. However, overuse can lead to a lack of clarity, especially in formal writing. Remember to consider context and audience when deciding whether to use "a certain person" or a more specific identifier. When aiming for greater writing clarity, explore alternative phrasing strategies or more specific nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular individual

Replaces "person" with "individual", emphasizing the specific nature of the reference while maintaining anonymity.

an unnamed person

Explicitly states that the person is not being named, adding a layer of mystery or confidentiality.

a specific individual

Highlights the specificity of the person being referenced, similar to "particular individual".

a certain someone

Uses the informal "someone" instead of "person", adding a touch of casualness or familiarity.

a party involved

Emphasizes the person's role or involvement in a situation, often used in more formal or legal contexts.

an individual in question

Suggests that the person is under consideration or scrutiny, often used in investigative or analytical contexts.

that person

Uses a demonstrative pronoun to indicate a specific person already known or implied within the context.

a person in question

Similar to "an individual in question", but uses "person" instead of "individual".

a relevant party

Focuses on the person's relevance to a particular situation or topic.

someone or other

Indicates a lack of specificity or importance regarding the person's identity.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain person" in a sentence?

Use "a certain person" when you want to refer to someone without explicitly naming them. For example, "A certain person told me this information, but I cannot reveal their source."

What are some alternatives to "a certain person"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a particular individual", "an unnamed person", or "a specific individual".

Is it better to use "a certain person" or name the person directly?

It depends on the situation. Use "a certain person" when the person's identity is not important or when you want to protect their privacy. If the person's identity is relevant, it's better to name them directly for clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "a certain person" in writing?

It is appropriate to use it in situations where the specific identity of the individual is not critical to the overall message or when discretion is desired.