any one special

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "any one special" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to refer to a specific individual or thing that is unique or significant, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "Is there anyone special you would like to invite to the event?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The show rightly challenges the cliche of the heroic survivor, demonstrating that this isn't the story of any one special person, but of many ordinary people, ranging from the victims to the relatives they left behind, the rescue workers who helped extricate them from the wreckage and even the incidental frequenters of hospital waiting rooms attendant on quite different dramas.

The Guardian

We believe politicians of any party should keep their promises, avoid the appearance of personal gain from the public trust, and look out for the general welfare, not that of any one special interest.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nor is the film especially ethnographically or zoologically sharp: 2003 docudrama The Story of the Weeping Camel or any appropriate Wildlife on One special covered the yurt and wolf beats with more of an eye for the heritage and the individuals involved.

The Guardian - Film

Steel fibers can have a major influence on workability; one special concern is their orientation.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

There's no one special person for any job.

TechCrunch

Computationally speaking, complexes are one special kind of subgraphs on the PPI network.

Bioinformatics

One special feature of our study was absence of any financial compensation for HV.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

"No one special".

The New Yorker

"This is one special horse.

The Guardian - Sport

"Two series and one special," Horgan corrects.

The Guardian

But two things make this one special.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "any one special" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "any particular person" or "any unique individual".

Common error

Do not use "any one special" when trying to convey "any special one". Even if the second sentence is somewhat grammatically incorrect, it is more appropriate than the first. Prefer phrasing as "any particular" or "any specific item or person".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any one special" appears to function as a determiner followed by an adjective, attempting to single out a specific individual or item with notable qualities. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard written English. Examples found by Ludwig attempt to convey uniqueness, but the phrasing remains awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "any one special" is grammatically questionable and rarely used in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as not being correct in standard written English, although individual words are common. When aiming to convey a sense of uniqueness or specificity, consider using alternatives such as "any unique individual" or "any particular person" for improved clarity and correctness. While sources like The Guardian and Huffington Post occasionally use the phrase, opting for more conventional phrasing is generally advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any exceptional individual

Replaces "special" with "exceptional", highlighting outstanding qualities.

any extraordinary person

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the individual, similar to "exceptional individual".

any unique individual

Replaces "special" with "unique" and specifies "individual" for clarity, emphasizing distinctiveness.

anyone remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthy nature of the individual.

a distinguished individual

Implies that the person is noteworthy and respected.

any particular person

Substitutes "special" with "particular", focusing on the selection of a specific person.

any singular person

Highlights the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the person.

any noteworthy individual

Similar to "remarkable", emphasizing that the person is worth paying attention to.

a specific person

Uses simpler language to indicate a definite person.

a certain individual

Similar to "a specific person", indicating a particular, though perhaps unspecified, person.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "any one special"?

The phrase "any one special" is not standard English. While the individual words are common, their combination is grammatically awkward and unclear. It's better to use more precise alternatives.

How can I use "any one special" correctly in a sentence?

Generally, you should avoid using "any one special". Instead, rephrase your sentence using alternatives like "any particular person" or "any unique individual" for clarity.

What can I say instead of "any one special"?

You can use alternatives like "any unique individual", "a specific person", or "anyone remarkable" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "any special one" a better alternative to "any one special"?

While "any special one" is slightly better, it's still somewhat awkward. Strive for clearer phrasing such as "any particular one" or "any specific one", depending on the context.