a person's

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a person's" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or association with an individual, often in contexts discussing rights, attributes, or belongings. Example: "A person's opinion should be respected, regardless of whether you agree with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's a person's nature.

The New Yorker

And that's a person's name?

The Guardian

A person's identity, memories, personality, gone forever.

Vice

It's just about a person's situation".

The Guardian

Makes a person's day.

The Guardian - Film

Regardless of a person's natural aptitude?

The New Yorker

A person's age matters as well.

The New York Times

A person's life?" Mr. Ricco said.

The New York Times

Phenotype denotes a person's observable characteristics.

The New York Times

Can a person's character be improved?

The Guardian

A person's the same way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about general principles, consider using "one's" instead of "a person's" for a more formal and impersonal tone.

Common error

Avoid using only "his" when referring to "a person's" belongings or attributes. Opt for gender-neutral alternatives like "their" (though be mindful of potential grammatical debates) or rephrase to avoid pronouns altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a person's" functions primarily as a possessive determiner. It indicates that what follows belongs to, is associated with, or is a characteristic of an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a person's" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate possession or association in English. As Ludwig AI validates, it is widely used and accepted. While versatile, its register is generally neutral, fitting both formal and informal contexts. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey—whether a general human attribute or an individual characteristic—and choose among alternatives like "an individual's" or "one's own" as needed. Pay attention to inclusive language by avoiding gendered pronouns where possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an individual's

Replaces "person" with "individual", emphasizing the unique nature of each human being.

the individual's

Adds a definite article before 'individual', emphasizing a specific person under discussion.

one's own

Uses a reflexive possessive to indicate something belonging to oneself, providing a more formal tone.

the person's own

Combines specificity with self-reference, highlighting personal ownership or attribute.

someone's

Employs an indefinite pronoun to refer to an unspecified person, offering a more generic reference.

a human's

Substitutes 'person' with 'human', stressing the biological aspect of being.

his or her

Specifies both male and female genders, making it gender-inclusive, though slightly more verbose.

their

Functions as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun in informal contexts, though its grammatical correctness is sometimes debated.

a being's

Replaces 'person' with 'being', broadening the scope to potentially include non-human entities.

an entity's

Uses 'entity' instead of 'person', widening the scope to encompass any distinct existence or concept.

FAQs

How can I use "a person's" in a sentence?

You can use "a person's" to show possession or a quality that belongs to someone. For example, "a person's opinion matters" or "Respect "a person's privacy"".

What are some alternatives to "a person's"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an individual's", "one's own", or "someone's".

Is it grammatically correct to use "their" instead of "a person's"?

While traditionally "his or her" was used, "their" is increasingly accepted as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun. However, using "a person's" or rewriting the sentence can often provide more clarity and avoid potential confusion.

What's the difference between "a person's" and "an individual's"?

"A person's" is more general, while "an individual's" emphasizes the unique qualities of each person. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the general human experience or the specific characteristics of a particular person.