a potential person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a potential person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has the possibility of becoming a person of interest or significance in a particular context. Example: "In our research, we identified a potential person who could contribute valuable insights to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some argue it is even less of a potential person than a stem cell derived from in-vitro fertilisation, since cloning uses unfertilised eggs.

The Economist

It didn't.... Eating animals is one of those topics, like abortion, where it is impossible to definitely know some of the important details (When is a fetus a person, as opposed to a potential person?

The New Yorker

And that pseudo-scientific argument — that an embryo is a person because it contains the DNA of a potential person — is true of any human cell, and certainly true of the countless fertilized eggs that, in the natural course of reproduction, are destroyed before they can develop.

The New Yorker

If we say, the newborn human is a potential person, hence entitled to rights close to those of persons, the problem arises that in the future, when we have better genetic therapies available, and by applying expensive genetic treatment to a normal mouse, could endow it with rational agency capacity, the normal mouse looks likely to qualify as a potential person if the newborn or young human does.

SEP

Additionally, advocates of liberal eugenics, it is argued, allow one trait to stand in for all of what a potential person can be (Asch and Wasserman 2005), and underestimate the value of human diversity that includes non-standard modes of human functioning linked to disability (Silvers 1998), and the possibility of "gains" made possible through living with disability (Garland-Thomson 2012).

SEP

8 The concept of social birth thus 'highlights the gradual, malleable, and contested process through which personhood is often ascribed.' 9 Moreover, the beginnings of this social recognition of a potential person frequently extend back in time to the 'pre-birth'.

Bioethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But there is a whole other potential person to consider, too – the new life that you are bringing into the world without asking first.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Oh, he does not think of me as a potential dating person," she recalled thinking.

The New York Times

This requires a team of two or three people: the shooter, a spotter and a potential third person to drive a vehicle or act as an additional safety lookout.

BBC

"We waste a lot of time doing everything to everyone and being politically correct [because] the government assumes everyone is a potential bad person.

Huffington Post

If a potential comparison person declined participation, another was invited (up to eight per case).

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a potential person" when you want to emphasize the possibility or capacity for someone or something to develop into a complete person in a certain context. Consider whether alternative phrases like "prospective individual" or "future individual" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "a potential person" in contexts where a more specific term like "candidate", "applicant", or "individual" would be clearer and more precise. The phrase is best suited for situations where the potential for personhood is a key aspect of the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a potential person" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It identifies an entity that possesses the capacity or possibility of becoming a person. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33.3%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16.7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a potential person" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something with the capacity to become a person, especially in contexts concerning ethics, morality, or future development. Although Ludwig identifies its grammatical correctness, its frequency is uncommon, spanning across science, news and media, and wiki contexts. Using alternative phrases such as "prospective individual" or "possible candidate" might offer more precise descriptions in certain settings. As evidenced in Ludwig's examples, it is important to consider the nuances of each context to utilize "a potential person" appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a possible person

Directly indicates the chance of becoming a person.

a prospective individual

Focuses on the possibility of becoming a person in the future.

a possible candidate

Emphasizes suitability for a role or situation.

a future individual

Highlights the aspect of time and eventual personhood.

a developing individual

Emphasizes the process of becoming a person.

a person in the making

Suggests an ongoing process of development.

an aspiring person

Emphasizes the ambition to become a certain type of person.

a budding individual

Conveys a sense of early development and promise.

a person in embryo

Implies an early stage of development, both literally and figuratively.

a soon-to-be person

Emphasizes the imminence of becoming a person.

FAQs

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

You might use "a potential person" when discussing the moral status of a fetus, as in, "Some argue that an unimplanted ball of cells is not a person, or even "a potential person"".

What's the difference between "a potential person" and "a prospective person"?

"Potential" emphasizes the inherent capacity to become a person. "Prospective" suggests someone who is likely or expected to become a person in a particular role or situation. The difference lies in the focus on inherent capability versus future expectation.

Are there contexts where "a prospective individual" is a better choice than "a potential person"?

Yes, in professional settings or when discussing recruitment or selection, "a prospective individual" often sounds more appropriate. For example, "We are seeking a prospective individual for this position" is more common than "We are seeking a potential person for this position".

Can I use "a potential person" when describing abstract concepts?

While possible, it's generally more effective to reserve "a potential person" for discussions relating directly or indirectly to human beings or entities with the capacity for personhood. Using it for abstract concepts may lead to confusion.