a typical individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a typical individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who embodies the common characteristics or traits of a certain group or category. Example: "In a survey of consumer behavior, a typical individual tends to prefer online shopping over traditional retail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A typical individual lacks the investment expertise and has an aversion to risk.

The Economist

Paladin, the placement agency, offers access to a group medical plan with monthly premiums of about $220 for a typical individual, though Mr. Gold remains on a Cobra plan courtesy of his previous permanent job.

The New York Times

(d) TEM image of a typical individual branched TiO2 nanotube shown in (a); insets are its SAED and HRTEM images of the marked areas, respectively.

Nanoscale Research Letters

A further feature often associated with individuals is agency: a typical individual is a locus of causation, as are electrons in physics and molecules in chemistry (R.A. Wilson 2005).

SEP

The science education of a population reflects the degree of vulnerability of a typical individual to any kind of information, and the population's education rate is also an influential factor in rumor spreading cessation.

Advances in Difference Equations

In the structure of a typical individual artificial neuron, the summation of input signals ({y}_{i}) from several synapses is transferred through an activation function F described by (2) for the chosen function sigmoid activation.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The nanotubes are uniform with an external diameter of about 166 nm and length of about 1.5 μm. Figure 4b shows a TEM image of typical individual CdS nanotube (sample A) with ca 166 nm of external diameter and the thickness of wall is about 20 nm.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Figure  2b, e compares fibrin fibres of a healthy individual and that of a typical diabetic individual.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

As previously described, the typical individual has a rounded overall shape (Fig. 4a).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Therefore, a typical human individual has the potential to produce 22,010, or approximately 10605 (1 with 605 zeros following), different kinds of gametes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The basic reproduction number, denoted by (Re_{0}), is 'the expected number of secondary cases produced, in a completely susceptible population, by a typical infective individual' [19].

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a typical individual", ensure the context provides enough information to understand what group or category the individual is typical of. For example, "a typical individual with diabetes" provides more clarity than simply "a typical individual".

Common error

Avoid using "a typical individual" when describing complex behaviors or traits that vary significantly within a population. This can lead to oversimplification and inaccurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a typical individual" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifying that the individual is representative of a certain group or category. As Ludwig points out, it's used to describe someone who embodies common characteristics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a typical individual" is a common phrase used to represent a person who embodies the characteristics of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related content. While alternatives like "an average person" or "a common person" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. It's crucial to avoid overgeneralization and provide sufficient context when using this phrase to ensure clarity and accuracy. Remember the advice about overgeneralization when describing something very complex.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an average person

Emphasizes ordinariness and conformity to statistical norms.

a regular person

Emphasizes normalcy and lack of eccentricity.

a common person

Highlights the lack of distinction or special qualities.

an ordinary individual

Highlights the lack of exceptional traits or qualities.

the everyday person

Highlights the routine and commonplace aspects of the person's life.

a standard individual

Suggests adherence to a defined or expected standard.

a representative individual

Suggests the person is a good example or sample of a larger group.

the average Joe

An informal way to refer to an ordinary man.

a general person

Focuses on the broad applicability and non-specificity.

the man in the street

Refers to the ordinary person and their views.

FAQs

How can I use "a typical individual" in a sentence?

Use "a typical individual" to describe a person who embodies the common characteristics of a group. For instance, "A typical individual lacks the investment expertise and has an aversion to risk."

What are some alternatives to "a typical individual"?

Alternatives include "an average person", "a common person", or "a regular person", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a typical individual" or "an average individual"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a typical individual" often implies a qualitative representation, while "an average individual" suggests a statistical norm. The best choice depends on the context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a typical individual"?

Avoid using "a typical individual" when discussing topics that require sensitivity to individual differences or when generalizations could be misleading or harmful. It's best to use more specific and nuanced language in such cases.