an unidentified man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unidentified man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a man whose identity is not known or has not been disclosed. Example: "The police are searching for an unidentified man who was seen near the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

An exchange of gunfire between an unidentified man and Pueblo police resulted in a death at about 3 a.m.

Huffington Post

"You can't interview her," said an unidentified man at the woman's two-story, white clapboard house.

The New York Times

On the other hand there is worldliness personified in Sweerts's likeness of an unidentified man.

The New York Times - Arts

It follows a botched arson attempt by an unidentified man caught on CCTV in January.

The Guardian

Hours before, an unidentified man hung a Serbian flag on a mosque.

The New York Times

"The people are just distraught," an unidentified man told the operator.

The Guardian - Music

In 1948, an unidentified man was found dead on Somerton beach in South Australia.

The Guardian - Music

The other pedestrian, an unidentified man in his 20s, was in stable condition there, the police said.

The New York Times

Police have released CCTV footage of a missing woman leaving a Shoreditch nightclub with an unidentified man.

Independent

Officers had been investigating reports that Mrs Richmond was seen on Sunday in the arms of an unidentified man.

Independent

In the second, a reporter for the semiofficial Fars news agency fought with an unidentified man in a baseball cap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the lack of identification is significant to the story or situation. If the man's identity is irrelevant, simply refer to him as "a man".

Common error

Avoid using "an unidentified man" if the person's identity doesn't matter to the context. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or mysterious. For instance, instead of saying, "An unidentified man helped me with my groceries", say "A man helped me with my groceries" if his identity has no relevance to the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unidentified man" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a determiner followed by an adjective and a noun. It serves to introduce or refer to a male individual whose identity is not known or has not been disclosed. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of the expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an unidentified man" serves as a noun phrase used when referring to a male individual whose name is unknown or has not been disclosed. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase as grammatically correct and most commonly used in news and media contexts. While it's a neutral term, remember to only use it when the lack of identification is relevant to the context. When the identity does not add valuable information the phrase "a man" may suffice. When used correctly, "an unidentified man" helps convey information objectively and accurately. If there is an element of mystery or something to hide, consider "an anonymous man" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unknown man

Replaces "unidentified" with "unknown", emphasizing the lack of knowledge about the man's identity.

an unnamed man

Similar to "an unknown man", but with a slightly more literary or narrative feel.

a man of unknown identity

Shifts the focus slightly to the identity itself being unknown rather than the man.

a man whose identity is not known

A more formal and explicit way of stating that the man's identity is not known.

a man yet to be identified

Highlights the ongoing effort or possibility of identifying the man in the future.

a John Doe

Uses the legal term "John Doe" to refer to an unidentified male, typically in a legal or forensic context.

a man without identification

Focuses on the lack of identifying documents or information.

a mysterious man

Adds an element of intrigue or suspicion to the man's lack of identification.

a faceless man

Emphasizes the anonymity and lack of distinguishing features.

a person of interest

Shifts the context to law enforcement, suggesting the man is being investigated but not necessarily suspected of a crime.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "an unidentified man" in writing?

It's appropriate when referring to a male individual whose name is unknown or deliberately withheld and the lack of identification is relevant to the context, as is often the case in news reports or legal contexts.

What are some alternatives to using "an unidentified man"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an unknown man", "an unnamed man", or, if applicable, "a person of interest".

Is "an unidentified man" more formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral in tone, suitable for news reports and formal documents, though it can sometimes sound slightly formal in casual conversation. Using just "a man" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

What's the difference between "an unidentified man" and "an anonymous man"?

"An unidentified man" simply means the person's identity is unknown. "An anonymous man" implies the person is deliberately concealing their identity, which carries a different connotation.