an exceptional person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exceptional person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who stands out due to their remarkable qualities or achievements. Example: "She is truly an exceptional person, always going above and beyond to help others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

She's rather an exceptional person.

The New Yorker

She was an exceptional person.

The Guardian

Idi Amin was never an exceptional person.

The New York Times

"He's an exceptional person," he said of Mr. White.

The New York Times

He was an exceptional person and will be missed.

The New York Times

"She is an exceptional person," Ms. Hanson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Every day on HuffPost, we're highlighting one 'Greatest Person' -- an exceptional individual who is confronting the country's economic and political crises with creativity, generosity, and passion.

Huffington Post

Every day on HuffPost, we're highlighting one 'Greatest Person' -- an exceptional individual who is confronting the country's economic and political crises with creativity, generosity and passion.

Huffington Post

I feel naked yet so lucky that I knew them as their devoted student; Art Stinchcombe was a most exceptional person - we were a lucky generation to have known him!

University of California, Berkeley

"He really was an amazing, talented actor and a really exceptional person," said Thorpe.

The Guardian

"He's a great guy; he's a really exceptional person," said Ms. Zlotkin, who described him as smart and kind, a focused student majoring in biology studies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an exceptional person" to describe someone who possesses outstanding qualities, skills, or achievements that set them apart from others. Ensure the context clearly illustrates the specific qualities that make the person exceptional.

Common error

Avoid using "an exceptional person" as a generic compliment. Instead, specify the qualities or accomplishments that make the person exceptional. For example, instead of saying "She's an exceptional person", say "She's an exceptional person because of her dedication to community service and her innovative approach to problem-solving."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exceptional person" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "exceptional" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "person". It is used to describe an individual who possesses outstanding qualities or abilities, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exceptional person" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone with outstanding qualities. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's most frequently found in News & Media and Academia, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase with specific context to highlight the qualities that make the person exceptional. As Ludwig AI suggests, you can use alternatives like "a remarkable individual" or "an outstanding person" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable individual

Focuses on the individual's noteworthy qualities.

an outstanding person

Emphasizes the person's superior qualities and achievements.

an extraordinary individual

Highlights the person's unique and impressive nature.

a person of distinction

Focuses on the person's recognized excellence and importance.

an individual of high caliber

Highlights the person's competence and quality.

a gifted person

Emphasizes the person's natural talents and abilities.

a talented individual

Focuses on the person's skills and expertise.

a person with unique abilities

Highlights the person's distinct and valuable skills.

a rare find

Emphasizes the person's uniqueness and value.

a one-of-a-kind person

Highlights the person's unparalleled nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "an exceptional person" to describe someone who has outstanding qualities. For example: "She is "an exceptional person" because of her dedication."

What can I say instead of "an exceptional person"?

You can use alternatives like "a remarkable individual", "an outstanding person", or "an extraordinary individual" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "exceptional person" or "remarkable person"?

Both "exceptional person" and "remarkable person" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to emphasize. "Exceptional" highlights outstanding qualities, while "remarkable" emphasizes something noteworthy or unusual.

Can I use "an exceptional person" to describe myself?

While grammatically correct, describing yourself as ""an exceptional person"" might be perceived as arrogant. It's generally better to let others use this phrase to describe you, or to highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your exceptional qualities.