a class of individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a class of individuals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific group of people who share common characteristics or traits. Example: "The study focused on a class of individuals who have experienced similar life challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Discrimination against a class of individuals, merely because of the nature of their employment, without more being shown, is constitutionally impermissible.

Cornell University

"My deep concern is that there's a class of individuals who are just going to fall through the cracks, and I feel badly for them, and we'll probably never know who they are," he said.

The New York Times

Agents of governments, employers, families, professionals, and institutions often apply the harm principle to justify paternalism on the ground that an individual, or a class of individuals, lacks the capability for effective self-management in some essential aspect of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Court rejected such a 'conclusive presumption' approach, noting that 'States may not casually deprive a class of individuals of the vote because of some remote administrative benefit to the State.' 380 U.S., at 96, 85 S.Ct., at 780.

Cornell University

But, owing to the exceptionally high turnover rate at my job, and the nature of the job itself, I have dealt with more than most people have, and for that reason I believe it is not misleading to say that I am of a class of individuals who were once termed wise old men.

The New Yorker

Reagan got it right in his signing statement when he said: "The legalization provisions in this act will go far to improve the lives of a class of individuals who now must hide in the shadows, without access to many of the benefits of a free and open society". Emerging from the shadows and enjoying the fruits of American society is assimilation in action.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

WALL STREET JOURNAL   Private Equity Investing on a Smaller Scale  |  The big firms may get all the attention, but a class of individual private equity investors is gaining ground.

The New York Times

To believe something then is to locate yourself within a class of possible individuals; to believe that you are one of the individuals with the property.

SEP

The Birthday Problem considers a class of n individuals and then asks what is the probability that two (or more) individuals have the same birthday.

Bioinformatics

The Universal Fund would then distribute a proportionate interest in the Fund-a Universal Share-to all members of a class of eligible individuals (for example, all citizens over the age of 18), who would then become Universal Shareholders.

Cornell University

Indonesia is a country in a transition, with a growing class of individuals with assets to invest yet who, financially, don't meet the bar set by many wealth managers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a class of individuals", ensure the context clearly defines the shared characteristic or trait that unites the group. For example: "a class of individuals sharing the same genetic marker".

Common error

Avoid using "a class of individuals" when a more specific term is available. Using more precise language enhances clarity and strengthens your writing. Instead of "a class of individuals", consider using "students", "patients", or "employees" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a class of individuals" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows examples where it identifies a particular subset of people with shared traits or circumstances, as demonstrated in numerous Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a class of individuals" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, primarily employed to denote a specific group of people sharing common characteristics. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "a group of people", it finds frequent use in academic, scientific, and news contexts, indicating a formal and neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the shared characteristics defining the class are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. Remember that in many cases more specific terms like "students" or "patients" could give more clarity to your text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of people

Replaces "individuals" with the more common and less formal "people".

a collection of people

Similar to "a group of people", but may imply a more casual or informal gathering.

a category of persons

Substitutes "class" with "category" and "individuals" with the more formal "persons".

a set of individuals

Replaces "class" with "set", suggesting a more defined and specific collection.

a type of person

Simplifies the phrase to focus on a specific type within a larger group.

a specific population

Highlights the distinct nature and defined boundaries of the group.

a body of individuals

Implies a more organized or structured group of people.

a segment of the population

Focuses on a specific portion of the overall population.

a cohort of individuals

Suggests a group of people sharing a common characteristic or experience.

a demographic group

Emphasizes the statistical or social characteristics of the group.

FAQs

How can I use "a class of individuals" in a sentence?

You can use "a class of individuals" to refer to a group of people sharing common traits or characteristics. For example: "The research focused on "a class of individuals" with similar socioeconomic backgrounds."

What are some alternatives to using "a class of individuals"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a group of people", "a category of persons", or "a specific population".

Is there a difference between "a class of individuals" and "a group of people"?

While both phrases refer to a collection of people, "a class of individuals" often implies a more formal or structured grouping based on shared characteristics, whereas "a group of people" is a more general term.

When is it appropriate to use "a class of individuals" over simpler terms?

"A class of individuals" is suitable when you need to emphasize the specific shared attributes that define the group. If the grouping is more general, "a group of people" might be more appropriate.