a person called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a person called" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing someone or referring to an individual by a specific name or title. Example: "There was a person called Sarah who always helped others in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a Malaysian tsunami," wrote a person called S.N.

The New York Times

And at the centre is a person called Tayyip Erdogan.

The Guardian

The diary reaches its fifth chapter before it mentions a person called the Angel Father.

The New Yorker

A person called Helen calls and ask when I will be home.

The Guardian - Books

"Please tell it's from a guy's perspective," a person called Viral on Facebook begs Mr. Datta about his next book.

The New York Times

"I am so sorry about the tragic loss of Aaron," wrote a person called Ying Yan on 18 January.

The Guardian - Tech

Qema was contacted via an Albanian-language internet chatroom by a person called "Aurora", who said she was a female.

The Guardian

A person called Sally5825 had bid £5, but had been outbid by Bossjoan, who had offered £5.50.

The Guardian - Books

However, that definition was supplied by a person called Zach_Banter, so it might not be entirely objective.

The Guardian - Opinion

The conflict began Tuesday when a person called a local government office saying there was suspicious activity in a neighboring house.

The New York Times

This is a clear demonstration of legal corruption," fumed a person called ShineShine on Sina Weibo, in one of many critical comments circulating on the Internet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, "a person called" excels in identifying individuals amid ambiguity, preventing confusion, especially with common names or general descriptions.

Common error

Don't use "a person called" without further context, especially if the name is very common. Add details or clarifying information to distinguish the individual from others with the same name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a person called" functions primarily as an identifier or introducer of an individual. It serves to specify that the following noun is a name someone is known by. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a person called" is a versatile phrase used to introduce or identify individuals, as stated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and prevalent across varied sources, primarily in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, context influences its impact. When writing, ensure clarity by providing sufficient details alongside the name. Consider using alternatives like "an individual named" or "someone referred to as" to vary your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone named

Uses "someone" instead of "a person" and "named" instead of "called", providing a more concise option.

an individual known as

Replaces "person" with "individual" and "called" with "known as", offering a slightly more formal tone.

an individual referred to as

Substitutes "person" with "individual" and uses "referred to as" instead of "called", making the phrase more formal and descriptive.

a certain

Uses "certain" instead of "called", indicating that person is being presented as specific but not necessarily known.

a figure known as

Replaces "person" with "figure" providing an elevated expression.

a subject called

Uses "subject" instead of "person" and "called", often used in research or legal contexts.

a so-called

Adds a nuance of skepticism or irony, implying the name might not be accurate or the description might be questionable.

a party known as

Uses "party" instead of "person" and "known as", often used in legal context.

one

Uses a minimal form to refer to any member of a group of people.

an entity designated as

The phrase describes an object as something. Typically the entity is an organization, software, etc.

FAQs

How can I use "a person called" in a sentence?

You can use "a person called" to introduce someone by name, such as in the sentence "A person called John left a message for you."

What's a more formal alternative to "a person called"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "an individual named" or "someone referred to as" instead of "a person called".

Is it ever incorrect to use "a person called"?

While grammatically correct, using "a person called" might sound redundant if the context already implies that you're talking about an individual. In such cases, simply using the person's name might be more concise.

What's the difference between "a person called" and "a so-called"?

"A person called" is a neutral way to introduce someone, whereas "a so-called" implies doubt or skepticism about the name or title being used.