an unknown man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unknown man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a man whose identity is not known or recognized in a particular context. Example: "The police are searching for an unknown man who was seen near the crime scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't Mrs. Edwards's, which suggested it was from an unknown man, likely the killer.

The New York Times

On 18 July this year, Abyan says she was raped by an unknown man.

The Guardian

She awoke as an unknown man was raping her, her complaint said.

The New York Times

Then something strange happens: seemingly out of nowhere, an unknown man starts calling from the darkness.

The Guardian - Travel

They were soon dead, shot by an unknown man who escaped the scene.

The Guardian

The first buy was from a man identified only as "Tom," while the second was from an unknown man.

The New York Times

The company is also performing "Story of an Unknown Man" Thursday through Sunday evenings until Nov. 19.

The New York Times

Then, a couple of days later, an unknown man claiming to be her nephew popped up on national TV.

The Guardian

By the time the nights of opera are over, Peony cannot think of an arranged marriage to an unknown man.

The New York Times - Books

He was a little drunk one night when an unknown man came in and asked for liquor.

The New Yorker

Liu mentioned the famous photograph of an unknown man standing in front of a tank — perhaps the most provocative image in modern Chinese history.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unknown man" in investigative reporting or crime writing, ensure that the lack of identification is relevant to the narrative and that further details (e.g., physical description, clothing) are provided to aid in potential identification.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the trope of "an unknown man" to create suspense or mystery without developing a distinct character or motive. Overusing this can lead to predictable and unengaging narratives. Always provide enough details to make the character believable, even if their identity remains a mystery for a time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unknown man" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an individual whose identity is not known or specified. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

2%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unknown man" is a frequently used noun phrase that serves to introduce a male individual without revealing their identity. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and is prominently found in news and media contexts. When employing this phrase, it's advisable to provide descriptive details to prevent clichés and to ensure contextual relevance. Alternatives like "an unidentified man" or "a mysterious man" can offer nuanced variations, depending on the intended tone and purpose of the writing. Always remember that even if the individual's identity remains hidden, providing character specifics enriches the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unidentified man

Replaces 'unknown' with 'unidentified', emphasizing the lack of identification.

an unnamed man

Substitutes 'unknown' with 'unnamed', focusing on the absence of a name.

an anonymous man

Substitutes 'unknown' with 'anonymous', highlighting the concealment of identity.

a man of unknown identity

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the lack of known identity.

a man whose name is not known

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the lack of knowledge about the man's name.

a man not yet identified

Emphasizes that the man has not been identified so far.

a mysterious man

Replaces 'unknown' with 'mysterious', adding an element of intrigue.

a stranger

Uses 'stranger' as a more concise and common alternative.

a man with an unknown past

Shifts the focus to the lack of knowledge about the man's history.

a faceless man

Uses 'faceless' to describe the man, implying a lack of distinguishing features or identity.

FAQs

How can I use "an unknown man" in a sentence?

You can use "an unknown man" to refer to someone whose identity is not established or revealed, such as "The police are searching for "an unknown man" who was seen fleeing the scene".

What phrases are similar to "an unknown man"?

Similar phrases include "an unidentified man", "an unnamed man", or "a mysterious man", each implying a lack of knowledge about the individual's identity.

Is it appropriate to use "an unknown man" in formal writing?

Yes, "an unknown man" is appropriate in formal writing when referring to someone whose identity is genuinely not known. In situations where identity is suspected but not confirmed, it's best to add qualifiers like 'alleged' or 'suspected'.

What's the difference between "an unknown man" and "a stranger"?

While both terms refer to someone not personally known, "an unknown man" focuses on the lack of identification, whereas "a stranger" emphasizes unfamiliarity or being unknown to the person speaking or writing.