an unknown person

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She believes an unknown person fraudulently provided her personal information to an employer.

Los Angeles Times

The DNA belongs to an unknown person, possibly the killer.

The New York Times

The Palestinian is an unknown person in the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

The picture of the basking shark was posted to the alt.binaries.pictures.animals newsgroup by an unknown person.

University of California, Berkeley

The present case involves whether Mr. X (an unknown person or persons) should die.

Cornell University

Bitcoin was created by an unknown person in 2009 under the alias of Satoshi Nakamoto.

The Washington Post

Archives|SANTA WITH A CONSCIENCE.; New Britain Woman Gets $990 From an Unknown Person.

The New York Times

There, locals had recently covered the body of an unknown person in debris and banana leaves.

The Washington Post

It was among several an unknown person provided to The New York Times late Wednesday.

The New York Times

SANTA WITH A CONSCIENCE.; New Britain Woman Gets $990 From an Unknown Person.

The New York Times

The local police registered a rape case on Saturday against an unknown person, the newspaper reported.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an unknown person", ensure the context clearly indicates why their identity is relevant but not known. This adds clarity and purpose to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an unknown person" as a filler phrase. If the person's identity is irrelevant to the point you're making, consider omitting the phrase entirely for more concise writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unknown person" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates someone whose identity is not known or specified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unknown person" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote someone whose identity is not known. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While versatile, be mindful of overuse and ensure the context necessitates the lack of identification. Alternatives like "an unidentified individual" or "a mysterious character" can add nuance, but the original phrase remains a clear and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unidentified individual

Replaces "person" with the more formal "individual" and "unknown" with "unidentified", suggesting a formal register.

a person unknown

Inverts the word order for a slightly more formal or legalistic tone.

an anonymous figure

Emphasizes the lack of a known identity, suggesting secrecy or concealment.

an unidentifiable subject

Replaces “person” with the clinical term “subject,” commonly used in scientific or investigative contexts.

a mysterious character

Adds a sense of intrigue or enigma to the unknown person.

a random stranger

Implies the person is not only unknown but also encountered by chance.

an unnamed source

Specifically refers to someone providing information without revealing their identity, often in journalistic contexts.

an undisclosed contact

Suggests someone whose identity is deliberately kept secret.

an unspecified party

Uses "party" to denote an individual or group, often in legal or formal contexts.

a faceless entity

Dehumanizes the unknown person, portraying them as lacking individuality.

FAQs

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

Use "an unknown person" when you need to refer to someone whose identity is not known or is being concealed, such as in crime reports, mysteries, or scenarios where anonymity is important. For example, "An unknown person vandalized the building last night".

What are some alternatives to "an unknown person"?

Alternatives include "an unidentified individual", "an anonymous figure", or "a mysterious character". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a unknown person" instead of "an unknown person"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. You must use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, such as "unknown". Therefore, the correct phrase is "an unknown person".

When should I use "an unknown person" versus "an unidentified person"?

"An unknown person" is a more general term. "An unidentified person" often implies that efforts are being made to determine the person's identity, such as in a police investigation or forensic analysis.