a particular figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a particular figure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific person, object, or concept that is being distinguished from others. Example: "In the study, we focused on a particular figure in the history of art who influenced modern painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This allows a particular figure to quantify the spread of the data with the Weibull modulus.

Materials & Design

The German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, is a particular figure of hate.

The Guardian

There isn't actually a particular figure they have offered us for anything.

The Guardian

Giving an agent the ability to agree to a particular figure also hands over too much negotiating authority.

Harvard University

On the FMP recording, the orchestra is plainly working from a score and periodically settles on a particular figure, though crisp unisons are not the point.

The New Yorker

Mr. Kobak says it happened over the weekend, but went on to stress that the trustee has been very careful about not floating a particular figure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

We determined the proportion of patients in each group with plasma IgG recognizing a particular number of bands (figure 1b).

Plosone

Sharon Van Etten – Remembering Mountains Even by the standards of the Greenwich Village folk scene, Karen Dalton was a very particular figure – a singer and guitarist from Enid, Oklahoma, she came to New York to sing in the coffee shops, revealing a voice so sourly beautiful it's sometimes almost hard to hear.

The Guardian - Music

Swift is a very particular figure in the world of entertainment.

The Guardian - Opinion

The measurement of curved figures in Book XII is inferred from that of rectilinear figures; for a particular curved figure, a sequence of rectilinear figures is considered in which succeeding figures in the sequence become continually closer to the curved figure; the particular method used by Euclid derives from Eudoxus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In particular, Figure 4(a) shows a 3-dimensional plot of the inner and outer bounds on the rate triples when the common information rate is set at.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a particular figure" when you want to emphasize that you're referring to a specific, identifiable person, object, or number and not just any general instance.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a particular figure" can sound somewhat verbose in very formal contexts. Consider more concise alternatives like "a specific number" or "that individual" for a more streamlined style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a particular figure" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

27%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a particular figure" is a valid and versatile English expression used to denote a specific person, object, or numerical value, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions primarily as a noun phrase to single out an element for emphasis or detailed consideration. While its register is generally neutral, it finds frequent application in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, and its precise alternatives can include "a specific person" or "a certain individual", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "a particular figure" when specificity is crucial but avoid overuse in highly formal settings where conciseness is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific person

Replaces "figure" with "person", focusing on individuals.

a certain individual

Substitutes "particular figure" with a more formal term.

a distinct entity

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the subject.

a precise amount

Focuses on numerical values rather than general entities.

a given character

Commonly used in narratives or role-playing scenarios.

a selected individual

Implies a choice or selection process.

a noteworthy personality

Highlights the importance or fame of the individual.

a remarkable personage

A more archaic or literary way of referring to a person.

a singular element

Highlights the uniqueness of the element.

a designated quantity

Refers to a pre-determined or assigned amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a particular figure" in a sentence?

You can use "a particular figure" to refer to a specific person, number, or entity. For example, "The historian focused on a particular figure from the Renaissance era."

What can I say instead of "a particular figure"?

Alternatives include "a specific person", "a certain individual", or "a distinct entity", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a particular figure" or "a specific figure"?

Both "a particular figure" and "a specific figure" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Specific" may sound slightly more direct, while "particular" can add a touch of emphasis on the distinctiveness of the figure.

When is it inappropriate to use "a particular figure"?

Avoid using "a particular figure" when the context requires a more general or vague reference. For instance, if you're discussing trends without focusing on a single individual, "a particular figure" would be unsuitable.