a potential suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a potential suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to law enforcement, investigations, or discussions about crime where someone may be considered a suspect but has not yet been confirmed as one. Example: "The police have identified a potential suspect in the robbery case, but they are still gathering evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

* Mass surveillance treats every citizen as a potential suspect.

The Guardian

Just strolling around in a dodgy neighbourhood can mark you as a potential suspect.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Dmitrichenko had not been mentioned publicly as a potential suspect.

The New York Times

In "The Secrets of Natchez" Mr. Beauchamp even confronts a potential suspect.

The New York Times - Arts

The police announced the arrest Sunday night just hours after law enforcement officials released four photographs of a potential suspect.

The New York Times

Usually it was when I couldn't clearly see a potential suspect and didn't know if he had a weapon.

The New York Times

The Turkish police are said to be concentrating their investigation on a man in his thirties as a potential suspect.

The Economist

[Daily News] The police have caught a potential suspect in one of the recent Brooklyn sex attacks.

The New York Times

Doing so allowed police, in effect, to treat anyone who attends prayer services as a potential suspect.

The Guardian

Omaha police officials declined to answer specific questions about Dickson's killing or address rumors about a potential suspect.

The Washington Post

Poirot sets about solving the delicious, chewy whodunnit, each of the train's curio passengers a potential suspect.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a potential suspect" when you want to emphasize the investigative stage, suggesting that the person is being considered but further evidence is needed.

Common error

Be cautious about presenting someone as "a potential suspect" in a way that creates a presumption of guilt. Always use neutral language and emphasize that they are only under investigation until proven otherwise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a potential suspect" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples provided by Ludwig show its role in news reports and investigative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a potential suspect" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to someone who is being considered as possibly involved in a crime or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent use, especially in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid implying guilt and maintain a neutral tone. Consider alternatives like "a person of interest" for a less accusatory tone. While the phrase is generally neutral, awareness of the context and potential implications is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a possible suspect

Replaces "potential" with "possible", indicating a slightly lower degree of likelihood.

a likely suspect

Suggests that the person is more probable to be the suspect based on available information.

a prime suspect

Indicates that the person is considered the most important or likely suspect.

a person of interest

A more neutral term used by law enforcement to describe someone they want to investigate further.

a suspected individual

Replaces "suspect" with "suspected individual", emphasizing that the person is only suspected.

a possible perpetrator

Uses "perpetrator" instead of "suspect", implying someone who committed the act.

an alleged offender

More formal, used to indicate someone accused but not yet convicted.

a person under investigation

Focuses on the investigative process rather than directly labeling the person.

an individual being questioned

Emphasizes the act of questioning, suggesting the person is a suspect.

a lead in the case

Shifts focus from the person to their role in the investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a potential suspect" to describe someone who is being considered as possibly involved in a crime or incident, such as "The police have identified "a potential suspect" in the robbery case".

What's a less accusatory way to refer to "a potential suspect"?

Instead of "a potential suspect", you might use terms like "a person of interest" or "an individual being questioned", which are more neutral and less suggestive of guilt.

Which is correct: "potential suspect" or "possible suspect"?

Both "potential suspect" and "possible suspect" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Potential" suggests having the capacity to become a suspect, while "possible" suggests that it's feasible they are a suspect.

What is the difference between "a potential suspect" and "a prime suspect"?

"A potential suspect" simply means someone who is being considered as a suspect. "A prime suspect", on the other hand, is considered the most likely suspect based on the available evidence.