a person named

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a person named" is a grammatically correct way to introduce someone in written English.
For example, "A person named John Smith works at the local store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is a useless passport," says a person named Ammirouch.

The New York Times

"There is a person named Thebe who preëxisted Earl," his mother continued.

The New Yorker

"There is a person named Thebe who preëxisted Earl, Earll's mother told Sanneh.

The New Yorker

There was no other possibility: a person named in an international arrest warrant must be arrested.

The New Yorker

One record belongs to a person named Ben Tauber who is listed as a product manager at Adobe.

The New York Times

The essay, which has been promoted on blogs across the Internet, is attributed to a person named David Kaiser.

The New York Times

According to public Web site registration information, that site is registered by a person named Plarent Nasto in Albania.

The New York Times

Police officers who discovered the bodies found a fake identity card for a person named Muhammad Babar.

The New York Times

"There is not enough to make a planet, but there's enough to make a person named Art Spiegelman".

The New York Times - Arts

Could it be a person named Bibb who sold a small, dark green lettuce with especially tender leaves?

The New York Times - Magazine

Police officials nearby said that agents searched an apartment building where a person named Mohammed Atta lived several years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a person named" to introduce someone when their role or identity is less important than simply establishing their name in a context. It's a neutral and straightforward way to refer to an individual.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "a person named" in highly formal writing where more precise language (e.g., "an individual identified as", "the aforementioned") might be more appropriate. Consider the tone and audience of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a person named" functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifically introducing or identifying an individual by their given name. It acts as a descriptive element, providing additional information about a subject in a sentence. As seen on Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a person named" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to introduce or identify an individual by name. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It finds application across various contexts, most commonly in news and media, but also in encyclopedias and wikis. While its register is generally neutral, writers should consider more formal alternatives for highly professional or legal settings. Related phrases offer nuances in formality and emphasis, providing flexibility in expression. Understanding the purpose and appropriate usage of "a person named" ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a man/woman named

More specific in gender, replacing 'person' with 'man' or 'woman'.

an individual called

Replaces 'person' with 'individual' and uses 'called' instead of 'named', sounding slightly more formal.

someone known as

Emphasizes the recognition or familiarity associated with the person's name.

an entity referred to as

Highly formal and often used in legal or technical contexts.

a party identified as

Common in legal and contractual language, denoting a specific person.

the aforementioned

Refers to a person previously mentioned; requires prior context.

one such as

More indirect, used to introduce an example of a person.

the individual in question

Used when discussing a person already under consideration or investigation.

a certain

Implies a lack of specific knowledge or a desire to be vague.

a so-called

Often used sarcastically or to express doubt about the person's name or identity.

FAQs

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

Use "a person named" to introduce someone by their name, such as "A person named John saw the incident".

What are some alternatives to "a person named"?

Alternatives include "an individual called", "someone known as", or "a party identified as", depending on the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a person named"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms it adheres to standard English grammar.

When is it better to use a more formal alternative to "a person named"?

In formal or legal contexts, using phrases like "an individual identified as" or "the aforementioned person" might be more appropriate to convey precision and professionalism.