a someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a someone" is not grammatically correct in English.
It may be used in informal conversation, but should be avoided in formal writing. Example: Informal: I know a someone who knows a lot about computers. Formal: I know someone who knows a lot about computers.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

A: Someone put it to me that New York is a good place to write, because of the grid.

The New York Times - Arts

Jack is that no one else who becomes a someone.

The New Yorker

If a someone wanted to speak, the juror would have to raise a hand.

The New York Times

Here's a Someone Else: Sophia Lopez, now 6 months old, of the Bronx.

The New York Times

(a) Someone whose gender identity matches the sex that he or she was assigned at birth.

The New Yorker

(It's not even a someone; it's a blind committee of millions).

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Someone has a shirt, someone a panga, someone a pickaxe.

The New Yorker

You could also say a reply is a message for someone while a mention is a message about someone [20].

European Journal of Futures Research

a. Someone fired bullets on or near an interstate highway there b.

Huffington Post

From a porch, someone waved.

The New Yorker

A scary someone?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "someone" instead of "a someone" in formal writing. The indefinite article is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

Common error

Don't precede "someone" with "a". It's a common mistake in spoken English but incorrect in written form. Simply use "someone" to refer to an unspecified person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a someone" functions as an indefinite reference to a person, though grammatically incorrect. While Ludwig identifies instances in various sources, it also flags its non-standard usage. The intent is to denote an unspecified individual.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while occasionally encountered, the phrase "a someone" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig analysis indicates that the correct term is simply "someone". Although it appears in diverse sources like The New York Times and TechCrunch, its usage is non-standard. It's best to avoid "a someone" in formal writing and stick to "someone" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Due to its incorrect nature, the frequency of its use is rare, and the register is decidedly informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone

Omission of the indefinite article provides the grammatically correct alternative.

somebody

Uses a synonym that carries the same meaning, but may be perceived as slightly more informal.

some person

Replaces "someone" with a more formal, though less common, equivalent emphasizing the individual's status as a person.

an individual

Substitutes with a term highlighting the unique character of the person.

a particular person

Emphasizes that the person in question is specific, though not necessarily identified.

a certain person

Adds a nuance of specificity while remaining somewhat vague about the person's identity.

a man

Uses a more direct expression of person.

a woman

Uses a more direct expression of person.

a human being

Emphasizes the person's humanity, often used in more formal or philosophical contexts.

a party

A more formal term, often used in legal or official contexts.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a someone"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct form is just "someone". The indefinite article "a" is redundant in this context.

What can I say instead of "a someone"?

The correct and most common alternative is simply "someone".

Which is correct, "a someone" or "someone"?

"Someone" is the correct form. "A someone" is grammatically incorrect.

When might I hear someone say "a someone", even though it's incorrect?

You might hear "a someone" in very informal or casual speech, but it's best to avoid using it in any kind of formal communication or writing.