a typical person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a typical person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who embodies the common characteristics or behaviors of a certain group or category. Example: "In a survey about lifestyle choices, the results reflected the habits of a typical person living in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not something a typical person would bring up.

The Guardian

"Take a typical person aged 45," he said.

The New York Times - Health

Is it even possible to read the T&Cs for everything a typical person does?

The Guardian - Tech

Both sizes held more popcorn than a typical person could finish.

The New York Times

What you see is that they treat him as if he was not a typical person.

The New York Times

In the past, a typical person only owned a few IoT devices, such as desktops, laptops, routers and smartphones.

University of California, Berkeley

He is a typical person whom you can never trust him and a racist full of hatred.

The Guardian

Now imagine that in New York City, a typical person with the flu interacts with about fifty other people in the course of their disease.

Stanford University

The data provides insight into how long a typical person in a specific place or ethnic group who is born today can be expected to live.

The New York Times

A typical person living in poverty often works from dawn to dusk, seven days a week: domestic workers, or farm labourers, for example.

The Guardian

Rather than focusing on death counts as others have, the report's authors compared lethal doses of each given substance in comparison with what a typical person uses.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a typical person", ensure you're generalizing based on sufficient data or evidence to avoid inaccurate stereotypes. For instance, support claims about consumption habits with statistical data or research findings.

Common error

Avoid using "a typical person" to make sweeping statements without sufficient evidence. Instead of saying "A typical person prefers X", consider "Studies suggest that many people prefer X" or "People who are Y typically prefer X".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a typical person" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing behaviors, characteristics, or experiences common to most people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a typical person" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to someone who embodies the average or representative characteristics of a particular group. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, primarily in news, academia, and scientific publications. While widely used, it's crucial to avoid overgeneralization and ensure claims are supported by evidence. Alternatives like "an average individual" or "a common person" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to support generalizations with data to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an average individual

Focuses on statistical normalcy and averageness, rather than representativeness.

a common person

Highlights the ordinariness and lack of distinction.

an ordinary individual

Emphasizes the lack of exceptional qualities or characteristics.

a regular person

Suggests adherence to societal norms and expectations.

the average Joe

An idiomatic expression for a typical, unremarkable man.

a standard person

Indicates adherence to a certain benchmark or norm.

a representative individual

Emphasizes someone who embodies the characteristics of a group.

a run-of-the-mill person

Implies ordinariness and lack of uniqueness, potentially negative.

an everyday person

Stresses the commonality and lack of exceptional experiences.

a garden-variety person

Suggests a lack of special qualities or distinction, slightly informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "a typical person" to refer to someone who embodies the common traits of a group. For example, "A typical person spends about three hours a day on their smartphone."

What are some alternatives to "a typical person"?

Alternatives include "an average individual", "a common person", or "an ordinary individual", depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to generalize using "a typical person"?

No, it's important to avoid overgeneralization. Ensure your statement is supported by data or evidence, and consider specifying the group you're referring to.

What's the difference between "a typical person" and "an average person"?

While similar, "a typical person" implies someone who represents common traits, whereas "an average person" focuses on statistical normalcy. The best choice depends on the specific context.