a leading suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a leading suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of criminal investigations to refer to the primary individual believed to be involved in a crime. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the police identified him as a leading suspect in the robbery case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Bradley Manning, a leading suspect in the leak.

The New York Times

In January 2011 the local Concordia Sentinel reporter Stanley Nelson revealed the identity of a leading suspect.

The Guardian

The operations were based on the statements of a leading suspect who was captured in Ankara after being watched by the authorities for six months, the report said.

The New York Times

Human rights investigators charge that Mr. Chávez's government, considered a leading suspect in the shootings, is incapable of guaranteeing an impartial investigation.

The New York Times

A leading suspect in the 1994 genocide has been arrested in Congo and sent to face charges at the United Nations tribunal in Tanzania, officials said.

The New York Times

It comes the day after Tunisian security officials confirmed the death in neighbouring Libya of a leading suspect in Tunisian terror attacks and the killings of two opposition figures in Tunisia.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

When it comes to a general genetic susceptibility, the leading suspect is a defect in the dopamine system, experts say.

The New York Times - Health

Although Lindh's murder was captured on closed-circuit television, it was ultimately a DNA match from the murder weapon, a knife, that provided the basis on which the leading suspect, Mijailo Mijailovic, a 25-year-old Swedish Serb, was convicted.

The Economist

Russia is the leading suspect in a sophisticated cyber-attack on the unclassified email network of the US military's joint staff that prompted the Pentagon last month to restrict access to portions of that network, US officials said on Thursday.

The Guardian - Tech

While the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, has not been pinned down, the leading suspect is a virus from the coronavirus family, and the experts say there are several reasons to think its origins are natural: its birthplace in a region of China long known as an incubator for new kinds of influenza, its relatively low lethality and the individual biology of coronaviruses.

The New York Times

Reports that the former president is now "cooperating" with the investigations of the Obama Transition are now flooding the news media characterizing the situation by the veiled implication that William Jefferson Clinton might be the leading suspect in a series of major international crimes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a leading suspect", ensure it's clear from the context what they are suspected of. Providing this information enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting someone as "a leading suspect" if the evidence is purely circumstantial or speculative. Using the term implies a significant level of suspicion and potential evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a leading suspect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or appositive, identifying an individual as the main focus of suspicion in an investigation. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in contexts involving legal and criminal matters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a leading suspect" is a noun phrase commonly used in news and legal contexts to denote the primary individual suspected of a crime or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights its prevalence in the media. Alternatives include "primary suspect" or "prime suspect". Use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that there is a substantial basis for suspicion to avoid misrepresentation. The phrase carries a neutral register, fitting formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary suspect

Replaces "leading" with "primary", indicating the main suspect.

prime suspect

Uses "prime" instead of "leading", emphasizing the suspect's importance in the investigation.

main suspect

Substitutes "leading" with "main", a more straightforward synonym.

chief suspect

Employs "chief" in place of "leading", highlighting the suspect's prominence.

key suspect

Replaces "leading" with "key", indicating the suspect's importance to the case.

person of interest

More vague; suggests someone police want to investigate further.

suspected perpetrator

Focuses on the action and the one who committed it.

alleged offender

More formal and emphasizes the unproven nature of the accusations.

potential culprit

More generic, suggesting a possible wrongdoer.

possible suspect

Reduces emphasis; indicating uncertainty in the identification.

FAQs

How is "a leading suspect" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a leading suspect" is used to identify someone who is considered the primary or most likely person involved in a crime or investigation. For example, "John Doe is "a leading suspect" in the bank robbery case".

What are some alternatives to using "a leading suspect"?

You can use alternatives like "primary suspect", "main suspect", or "prime suspect" to convey a similar meaning. Depending on the context, phrases like "person of interest" or "suspected perpetrator" may also be appropriate.

Is it appropriate to name "a leading suspect" publicly before charges are filed?

Naming someone as "a leading suspect" publicly before charges are filed can have legal and ethical implications, potentially leading to defamation claims. It is generally advisable to avoid doing so unless there is a clear public interest or legal justification.

What distinguishes "a leading suspect" from other suspects?

"A leading suspect" implies that this person is the primary focus of the investigation due to stronger evidence or more compelling leads compared to other "possible suspects". It suggests a higher level of suspicion.