an important individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an important individual" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who holds significance or influence in a particular context or situation. Example: "The conference will feature a keynote speech by an important individual in the field of environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Claire also knew how to convey to people that she considered each of them to be an important individual.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Only the enlightened legal code, which he drafted, stands out as an important individual achievement.

The Economist

But this dance confirms the sense that he is now an important individual voice in ballet choreography.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. McIntyre's dance, Alastair Macaulay wrote last year in his review for The Times, "confirms the sense that he is now an important individual voice in ballet choreography".

The New York Times - Arts

It marked the position of an important individual before a battle, during a siege, throughout a ceremony, or at a tournament.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He can give wings to an important individual dancer; his pas de deux can be occasions for real drama; his uses of stage geometries and light can be potent.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

3 We did not control for Aboriginal status as although there were (very limited) data available, Aboriginal status is nonsensical as a household-level variable, though an important individual-level confounder, given that the smoking prevalence among Aboriginal Australians is more than twice that of non-Aboriginal Australians.

BMJ Open

The fact that there is only one electrician, a very important individual, could be seen as a sign of vulnerability.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Did anything major - like the identity of a certain important individual in the second half of the book - change around while you were writing or was it all set in stone from the off?

The Guardian

Bolted flanged joints comprise an assembly of a number of important individual components, which are required to perform well together in service.

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping

A leader, the most important individual of an organization, is the most responsible for building the corporate culture.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an important individual" to emphasize the significance of a person's role or contribution in a specific context. Ensure the individual's importance is clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an important individual" when the person's significance is minor or irrelevant to the overall context. Overuse can dilute the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important individual" functions as a noun phrase, where "important" is an adjective modifying the noun "individual". It serves to identify and emphasize the significance of a particular person. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important individual" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to emphasize a person's significance. As shown by Ludwig, it finds frequent application in scientific and news contexts. When writing, ensure the individual's importance is clearly demonstrated and avoid overuse to maintain impact. Consider alternatives such as "a significant person" or "a key figure" to vary your language. The phrase is appropriate for neutral to formal registers, making it suitable for a range of professional and academic communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant person

Focuses on the degree of impact or influence a person has.

a key figure

Highlights the person's central role in an event, organization, or field.

an influential person

Emphasizes the power to affect or shape decisions and opinions.

a notable person

Stresses the person's worthiness of attention or remembrance.

a prominent figure

Suggests the person is well-known and highly visible.

a respected individual

Highlights the esteem and admiration the person commands.

a leading light

Emphasizes a person's role as an inspiration or guide.

an esteemed person

Indicates the person is held in high regard and respect.

a person of influence

Highlights the capacity to exert influence on others or events.

a person of note

Indicates someone worthy of attention or remembrance due to achievements or status.

FAQs

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

You can use "an important individual" to highlight someone's significance in a particular field or event. For example, "The success of the project hinged on the contributions of "an important individual" in the research department."

What are some alternatives to saying "an important individual"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a significant person", "a key figure", or "an influential person" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an important individual"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the unique contributions or influence of a specific person in a given situation or field. It's particularly useful when their role is critical to the outcome.

Is there a difference between "an important individual" and "an important person"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. However, "an important individual" can sometimes carry a slightly more formal or professional tone, suggesting a focus on their distinct characteristics and impact.