a robbery suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a robbery suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an individual who is believed to have committed a robbery but has not yet been proven guilty. Example: "The police have released a description of a robbery suspect who was last seen fleeing the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He once chased down a robbery suspect.

The Economist

Police mistook him for a robbery suspect.

The Washington Post

That officer accused him of harboring a robbery suspect, and demanded that he let her inside.

The Washington Post

Mistaken for a robbery suspect, the hip-hop artist showed what happened with a Twitter video.

The New York Times

Why Did Police Officers Fire 42 Times to Bring Down a Robbery Suspect in Queens?

The New York Times

One day the cops came through, saying they were looking for a robbery suspect.

The New York Times

The first time, officers mistook Mr. Bishop, who is black, for a robbery suspect; he spent several days in jail.

The New York Times

The shooting came about 12 hours after one of five officers shot by a robbery suspect last week died.

The New York Times

In New York over the weekend, police officers killed a robbery suspect with a history of mental illness.I have a lot of sympathy with Mr Coates's view.

The Economist

A robbery suspect brandishing a toy gun was shot and killed in a northeast Harris County, Tex., smoke shop late Sunday.

The New York Times

Police in Ferguson have confronted looters as tensions rose over the killing of black teenager Michael Brown, following a police statement naming him as a robbery suspect.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain neutral language by avoiding emotionally charged words when describing "a robbery suspect" in news reports.

Common error

Do not refer to "a robbery suspect" as "the robber" before they have been convicted, as this assumes guilt and can lead to defamation claims. Always use neutral terms unless a conviction has been secured.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a robbery suspect" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies an individual who is suspected of committing a robbery. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it's commonly used in news and media to describe individuals under investigation but not yet convicted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a robbery suspect" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe someone suspected of committing a robbery, according to Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves the purpose of informing the public about ongoing investigations while maintaining neutrality. When using this phrase, it's crucial to avoid premature judgment by not implying guilt before a conviction. Alternatives such as ""an alleged robber"" or ""a person of interest in a robbery case"" can be used depending on the desired level of specificity and implication. Ensure clarity and neutrality in your writing when referring to individuals involved in criminal activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a suspect in the robbery

Reorders the phrase slightly while maintaining the core meaning and level of directness.

an alleged robber

Replaces "suspect" with "robber" and adds "alleged" to emphasize the unproven nature of the accusation. This highlights that the person is only accused of being a robber.

a suspected thief

Substitutes "robbery" with the more general term "theft", broadening the scope of the suspected crime. The core meaning remains similar but less specific.

the accused robber

Indicates the person has been formally accused but not yet convicted, carrying a more legalistic tone. More specific than just a suspect.

an individual suspected of robbery

Rephrases to emphasize the individual's role as the subject of suspicion. More formal and less direct.

a person of interest in a robbery case

Changes the focus from direct suspicion to merely being someone police are interested in. Significantly softens the implication of guilt.

a possible perpetrator of the robbery

Uses more formal and legalistic language, avoiding direct accusation while suggesting involvement. Highlights the uncertainty.

the presumed robber

Emphasizes an assumption of guilt, which may be suitable in specific contexts but carries a stronger implication than "suspect".

a person identified as a potential robber

Highlights the act of identification, suggesting that the person has been singled out but not necessarily proven guilty. Adds a layer of distance.

a suspect connected to the robbery

Indicates there is a link between the person and the crime but does not necessarily imply direct involvement. Vague connection.

FAQs

What does it mean to call someone "a robbery suspect"?

Calling someone "a robbery suspect" means they are suspected of committing a robbery but have not been proven guilty in court. It's a preliminary designation used by law enforcement.

Is it appropriate to use the term "a robbery suspect" in news reporting?

Yes, it's appropriate as long as the reporting clearly indicates that the person is only suspected and has not been convicted of the crime. This helps maintain journalistic neutrality.

What are some alternative ways to refer to someone who is "a robbery suspect"?

You can use alternatives like "an alleged robber", "a suspected thief", or "a person of interest in a robbery case", depending on the context and the degree of certainty.

What is the difference between "a robbery suspect" and "the robber"?

"A robbery suspect" is someone who is believed to have committed a robbery, but it hasn't been proven. "The robber" implies that the person has been confirmed as the perpetrator, often after a conviction. Using "a robbery suspect" maintains neutrality, while "the robber" assumes guilt.