a suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

'a suspect' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase "a suspect" to refer to someone who is thought to be involved in a crime or other misdeed. For example, "The police have arrested a suspect in connection with the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He becomes a suspect.

Independent

A suspect has been arrested.

The New York Times

A suspect remains at large.

The New York Times

Police don't have a suspect.

The New York Times

A suspect is in custody.

The New York Times

"Do we have a suspect?

The New York Times

No word on a suspect.

The New York Times

as belonging to a suspect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A suspect is being sought.

The New York Times

It was a suspect practice.

The Economist

Police may have a suspect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on legal matters, be precise with terms. Using "a suspect" implies an ongoing investigation where charges may or may not have been filed. Avoid terms like "convicted criminal" unless a court has made that determination.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences that obscure who is doing the suspecting. Instead of saying 'It is suspected that...', specify 'The police suspect...' for clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a suspect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an individual who is believed to be involved in a crime or wrongdoing, as supported by Ludwig's examples and analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0.3%

Wiki

0.3%

Reference

0.3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a suspect" is grammatically correct and very common, primarily used in news and media contexts to denote an individual believed to be involved in a crime but not yet convicted. As confirmed by Ludwig, this noun phrase serves to inform and report on ongoing investigations. While the register is generally neutral, its frequent use in formal settings lends it a professional tone. For alternatives, consider phrases like "a person of interest" or "a potential suspect", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potential suspect

Emphasizes the possibility that the person might be a suspect, but it's not yet confirmed.

a suspected individual

Uses a more formal and generic term to describe the person under suspicion.

a prime suspect

Indicates that the person is considered the most likely suspect, carrying a stronger degree of suspicion.

a lead suspect

Similar to 'prime suspect' but implies the investigation is particularly focused on that individual.

a person of interest

Focuses on the individual being of interest to investigators, potentially before being formally considered a suspect. It broadens the scope beyond immediate suspicion.

a suspect in custody

Clarifies the suspect is currently detained.

a suspect at large

Specifies the suspect has not been apprehended.

an alleged perpetrator

Highlights that the person is accused but not yet proven guilty of the act.

a known suspect

Implies that the suspect has a previous record or is known to law enforcement.

a possible culprit

Refers to someone who could be responsible, potentially shifting the context away from formal legal proceedings.

FAQs

How is "a suspect" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a suspect" is commonly used to indicate someone who is believed to have committed a crime but has not yet been proven guilty. For example, "Police have arrested "a suspect" in connection with the robbery."

What's the difference between "a suspect" and "a person of interest"?

"A person of interest" is a broader term than "a suspect". While "a suspect" is someone believed to be involved in a crime, a person of interest is simply someone investigators want to learn more about, potentially before any suspicion arises.

Can "a suspect" be used for non-criminal contexts?

While primarily used in criminal investigations, "a suspect" can also refer to someone suspected of wrongdoing in non-criminal contexts, such as ethical violations or breaches of contract. However, this usage is less common.

What are some alternatives to "a suspect" that carry different connotations?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a potential suspect" (emphasizing possibility), "a prime suspect" (indicating a primary focus of investigation), or "an alleged perpetrator" (stressing the accusation but not guilt).