a lone individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lone individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a single person who is alone or isolated, often emphasizing their solitude. Example: "In the vast wilderness, a lone individual trekked through the snow, determined to reach the summit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Pipe bombs are much more easily constructed by a lone individual," he said.

The New York Times

"I think one of the hardest tasks of all is to write about a lone individual," Mr. White said.

The New York Times

A lone individual wrote the words "I want a referendum" in the sand below West Undercliff Promenade in Bournemouth at around 11am today.

The Guardian

Here Robert Fripp's guitars and Brian Eno's electronics rise until Bowie's voice is fighting against the music – a lone individual against the elements.

The Guardian - Music

"In most domestic incidents, the F.B.I. is more likely to be dealing with a lone individual in crisis," Mr. Noesner said in an interview.

The New York Times

Ullrich notes: "The central goal of removing Jews from German society… was by no means the eccentric idea of a lone individual".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It was a balding white man who was seen setting the bomb, some reports claim, and so the media described it as an act of a troubled "lone individual," rather than as a white right wing Christian fundamentalist terrorist.

Huffington Post

He's just a sick lone individual, but you've got a lot of angry people.

The New Yorker

They created a single, lone, individual atom of the isotope, meitnerium-266, by blasting bismuth-209 with highly accelerated iron-58 nuclei.

The Guardian

Any one of those programmes would be a handful for one lone individual, but Dr Sabir managed them until the office was in a position to take on additional staff.

Unicef

"Medical marijuana was nowhere on the radar at this point, and here's this lone individual coming into a federal office and asking for access to their supplies.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In reports or analyses, use "a lone individual" when you want to specifically highlight that an action or event was not part of a larger coordinated effort.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a lone individual" can sometimes sound overly formal or detached. In casual writing, consider using "someone alone" or "a person on their own" for a more approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lone individual" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts to describe a person who is alone or acting independently.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a lone individual" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, typically found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. According to Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the isolation or independence of a person. While "a lone individual" is considered correct for the most part, it is more suited for neutral to formal registers, and there are several alternative phrases—such as "a solitary person" or "an isolated individual"—that can provide subtle differences in meaning. While appropriate for many contexts, overuse of "a lone individual" in very casual settings might sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solitary person

Focuses on the state of being alone, emphasizing the absence of others.

an isolated individual

Highlights the separation from others, suggesting a lack of connection.

a person on their own

Emphasizes independence and self-reliance.

a single person

Simply denotes one person, without necessarily implying loneliness.

an unaccompanied individual

Focuses on the lack of a companion or group.

a recluse

Describes someone who avoids society, often by choice.

a person apart

Suggests a separation from the norm or mainstream.

a detached individual

Implies emotional distance or lack of involvement.

an outsider

Highlights the lack of belonging to a particular group or community.

a maverick

Describes someone who is independent in thought and action, often resisting conformity.

FAQs

How can I use "a lone individual" in a sentence?

Use "a lone individual" to describe someone who is physically or socially isolated, emphasizing their solitude or independence. For example, "The detective suspected the crime was the work of "a lone individual" rather than an organized group."

What phrases are similar to "a lone individual"?

Alternatives include "a solitary person", "an isolated individual", or "someone on their own", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "lone individual" without the article "a"?

While understandable, omitting the article "a" before "lone individual" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. The phrase typically requires the article to function properly as a noun phrase.

What is the connotation of using "a lone individual"?

The phrase often carries a connotation of vulnerability, independence, or detachment. It can suggest someone who is either willingly isolated or forced into solitude by circumstances.