an extra person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extra person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional individual beyond the expected or usual number of people in a situation. Example: "We have enough seats for everyone, but if someone brings an extra person, we might need to rearrange the seating."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

She could then squeeze in an extra person.

The New York Times

The N.F.L. anticipates a trickle-down benefit to having an extra person watching the passing game.

The New York Times - Sports

Plus, having an extra person to bounce ideas off is always helpful".

The Guardian

If you show up with an extra person, they'll smile and do their best.

The New York Times - Food

As she saw it, an extra person might freak out the source, who was already on edge.

The Guardian

At the last minute, an extra person had come, so Hastreiter pulled up a chair and made it a table for thirteen.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Only 2.6% of WCAs are expected to result in a "longer-term" prognosis, which effectively means an assessor can allocate the prognosis to just one person a week; allocating a single extra person across a month hovers on breaching the allowed 20% variation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"God must have needed an extra special person to have taken you.

BBC

However, the extra energy required to carry around the weight of an entire extra person is draining.

Huffington Post

I've lived in London for five whole years now and I can honestly say that I've never seen a single person actually riding one, but I have seen 10,000 beetroot-faced men called Richard forcing their way onto an already-packed tube during rush hour with one of these in tow, taking up the space of a whole extra person.

Vice

Open May-September; from €19 a day for a pitch for people, and €5 a day per extra person; from €35 a day for a three-person caravan, and from €70 a day for a four-person mobile home; [phone], rivadiugento.it The panorama from this 32-pitch site set 1,300m high in the heart of the Alps is quite stunning.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an extra person" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates why the additional person is relevant to the situation. Specify their role or impact to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "an extra person" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language with synonyms like "an additional individual" or "supplementary personnel" to maintain a professional tone and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extra person" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and quantify an individual beyond the expected or usual number. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an extra person" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for denoting an additional individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though slightly more prevalent in news and general writing. While interchangeable with synonyms like "an additional person", it's important to consider the tone and avoid overuse in formal settings. Remember to clarify the role or impact of the additional person for enhanced clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional individual

Replaces 'extra' with 'additional', maintaining the same meaning of someone added to the expected number.

a further individual

Uses 'further' as a synonym of 'additional', implying another person.

an extra pair of hands

Similar to "an extra hand", highlighting the assistance provided by an additional person.

a supplementary person

Uses 'supplementary' to emphasize the added or supportive nature of the person.

a spare person

Employs 'spare' to indicate someone available or not currently needed but potentially useful.

an added member

Focuses on the inclusion of someone new to a group or team.

an extra hand

Uses a more idiomatic expression suggesting someone who provides assistance or labor.

an additional resource

Broadens the meaning to include any extra asset, not just a person.

a surplus person

Indicates an excess of people beyond what is required or planned.

a bonus person

Suggests an unexpected or welcome addition of someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "an extra person" to describe situations where there's an additional individual. For example, "Bringing "an extra person" to the party without informing the host is considered impolite."

What are some alternatives to "an extra person"?

Some alternatives include "an additional person", "a supplementary person", or "a spare person", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "an" before "extra person"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. "Extra" starts with a vowel sound, so "an" is the appropriate article to use.

What's the difference between "an extra person" and "an additional person"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. "An additional person" might sound slightly more formal, but in most contexts, they convey the same meaning.