an average person

USAGE SUMMARY

"an average person" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "an average person" when referring to someone who is average in a particular context, such as their height, intelligence, weight, or income. For example: "An average person in the United States makes just over $56,000 a year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She is not an average person.

The New York Times

But does an average person need all these features?

The New York Times

By his own account, James Hogue was an average person.

The New Yorker

Only 9percentt said Vick was being treated worse than an average person.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, they are estimates of the calories an average person would burn at that work level.

The New York Times - Health

"But that's like saying minus Cindy Crawford's body and face, she's just an average person".

The New York Times - Sports

Each episode begins with an average person guilelessly going about the day until fate strikes.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't think an average person is going to appreciate this house".

The New York Times

The definition of what an average person is seems to include 60% who are children.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you're an average person, if you sue, you risk losing everything.

The Guardian - Opinion

"From the point of view of an average person, we're still in a recession.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an average person", clearly define the context in which you are using the term. For example, "an average person's income" or "an average person's height" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid making broad generalizations about "an average person" without considering variations in demographics, cultures, and individual circumstances. Recognize that averages can mask significant differences within a population.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an average person" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a person who embodies common or typical characteristics, as evidenced by Ludwig AI which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an average person" is a common noun phrase used to represent a typical member of a population. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While useful for generalizations, it's important to avoid overgeneralization and acknowledge individual variations. When aiming for greater formality, consider alternatives such as "a typical individual" or "an ordinary person". Keep in mind that clear contextualization enhances the precision and impact of this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical individual

Replaces "average" with "typical" and "person" with "individual", slightly formalizing the language.

an ordinary person

Substitutes "average" with "ordinary", emphasizing the lack of exceptional qualities.

a normal person

Substitutes "average" with "normal", focusing on conformity to expected behavior.

a common person

Replaces "average" with "common", highlighting the widespread nature of the characteristics.

the everyday person

Uses "everyday" to describe the person, emphasizing their routine and normalcy.

a regular person

Replaces "average" with "regular", suggesting someone who conforms to the usual pattern.

the average Joe

An idiomatic expression, specifically referring to an average man.

the man on the street

An idiomatic expression that refers to a hypothetical average person.

a standard person

Replaces "average" with "standard", emphasizing adherence to a certain benchmark.

a garden-variety person

Uses a metaphor to describe someone as being of the usual or unexceptional type.

FAQs

How can I use "an average person" in a sentence?

You can use "an average person" to refer to someone who embodies the typical characteristics of a group, like "an average person needs about 2000 calories per day".

What is a more formal alternative to "an average person"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "a typical individual" or "an ordinary person" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to describe someone as "an average person"?

Describing someone as "an average person" means they possess characteristics that are common or typical within a given population, without being exceptional or unusual.

Is it always accurate to refer to "an average person"?

While the term "an average person" is useful for generalizations, it's important to remember that averages don't represent every individual within a group, and significant variations can exist.