an important figure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'an important figure' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to someone who has achieved notoriety for their contributions to a particular field, such as in the sentence, "Winston Churchill is an important figure in British history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He is an important figure, but he doesn't wear his importance lightly," said one barrister.

The Guardian

Any of this would make Dr. Xu an important figure.

The New Yorker

But he is an important figure to the Front National.

The Guardian

He is an important figure within the organization".

The Guardian

And my father was an important figure in that.

The Guardian - Film

Also, he was an important figure within the Party.

Independent

He remained an important figure in France's small Protestant community.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By that time, he had become an important figure in the Liberal Party.

The New York Times - Arts

Reo-Coker expects Oduro to once again be an important figure for Montreal on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Long account of a tea with Jayaprakash Narayan, an important figure who follows Vinoba Bhave.

The New Yorker

He was an important figure in organizing aid packages to help rescue those economies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "an important figure", provide context to illustrate the scope and nature of their importance. For instance, specify the field in which they are significant (e.g., "an important figure in the field of medicine") or the impact they have made.

Common error

Avoid using "an important figure" as a generic compliment. Substantiate the claim with specific achievements or contributions to avoid sounding hyperbolic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important figure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes someone who holds a position of significance or influence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important figure" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase for describing someone with considerable influence or significance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most commonly in news and media, encyclopedias, and science-related contexts, indicating its widespread applicability. When using this phrase, be specific about the person's importance and the context in which they hold that status. Alternatives such as "a significant person" or "a prominent individual" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the specific message you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable figure

This is a direct synonym, replacing "important" with "notable" and maintaining a similar degree of formality.

a significant person

This alternative directly replaces "important" with "significant", emphasizing the notable impact of the person.

an influential person

This focuses on the person's ability to affect or change things.

a prominent individual

Using "prominent" suggests that the person is well-known and stands out in their field or community.

a person of consequence

This phrase stresses the impact and lasting effects of the person's actions or position.

a key player

This term highlights the person's instrumental role in a specific context or event.

a leading light

This metaphor suggests the person is an inspiration or guide to others.

a major force

This emphasizes the person's power and influence as a driving factor.

a central character

Suggests the person is pivotal in a narrative or organization.

a critical element

Shifts the focus to the person's role as being essential or necessary to a system.

FAQs

How can I use "an important figure" in a sentence?

Use "an important figure" to denote someone with significant influence or impact in a particular field. For example: "Marie Curie is "an important figure" in the history of science".

What are some alternatives to "an important figure"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant person", "a prominent individual", or "a key player" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a important figure" instead of "an important figure"?

No, it is not correct. The correct article to use before "important" is "an" because "important" begins with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between ""an important figure"" and "an influential person"?

While both terms denote significance, ""an important figure"" generally refers to someone with recognized prominence, whereas "an influential person" emphasizes their capacity to affect change or decisions.