at the suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the suspect" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a location or action involving a suspect, but it lacks context to be usable. Example: "The police arrived at the suspect's location to make an arrest."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hey!' " at the suspect, getting closer and closer to him.

The New York Times

I looked down the line at the suspect.

The New Yorker

The trooper fired at the suspect, who fled into the woods but was eventually apprehended.

The New York Times

That encounter gave the police their best look yet at the suspect.

The New York Times

The runner and I rubbed the condensation from the back window, and stared at the suspect.

Independent

Once they had a clear shot at the suspect, they took it.

The New York Times

Officers then fired a Taser at the suspect again, which sent him crashing to the floor.

The Guardian

The officer drew her firearm and fired at the suspect, striking him".

The Guardian

GCHQ says it only looks at the suspect messages, but what are its checks?

The Guardian - Opinion

The officer recognized Mr. Dorner, stepped out of his vehicle and fired at the suspect, who returned fire.

The New York Times

He said that he had fired at the suspect, kicked his weapon away and placed him in handcuffs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at the suspect" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more precise prepositions or rephrase to clarify the intended meaning. For example, use "regarding the suspect" or "directed at the suspect".

Common error

A common mistake is using "at" to indicate direction or relation when a different preposition is more appropriate. "At" typically indicates a location. To indicate direction or focus, consider using "towards", "regarding", or "concerning" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the suspect" functions as a prepositional phrase, but its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not standard English. Its intended purpose often revolves around indicating direction or focus, but it's generally advisable to use alternatives for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the suspect" is frequently used, especially in news and media contexts, but Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. This phrase often attempts to convey direction or relationship but lacks precision. For clarity and grammatical correctness, it's better to use alternatives like "regarding the suspect", "directed at the suspect", or "concerning the suspect". While the phrase appears across several authoritative sources, its widespread use doesn't validate its grammatical soundness. Therefore, avoid using "at the suspect" in formal writing to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the suspect

Emphasizes the subject of discussion or consideration. Changes the focus to what is being discussed about the suspect.

concerning the suspect

Similar to "regarding", this focuses on the topic of discussion. It shifts the focus from a physical location to the subject of conversation.

in relation to the suspect

Highlights a connection or association with the suspect. This alternative specifies the relationship to the suspect.

with respect to the suspect

Indicates a particular aspect or viewpoint regarding the suspect. It adjusts the perspective to a more formal consideration.

in connection with the suspect

Emphasizes an association or involvement with the suspect, typically in legal or investigative contexts. This alternative clearly establishes a link or association.

in the case of the suspect

Focuses specifically on the legal or procedural aspects involving the suspect. Changes the context to a formal or legalistic framing.

involving the suspect

Describes actions or situations where the suspect is an active participant or is implicated. This alternative stresses the suspect's involvement.

pertaining to the suspect

Indicates relevance or applicability to the suspect, often in a formal or legal context. This changes the focus to relevance and applicability.

directed at the suspect

Highlights actions or intentions aimed specifically towards the suspect. This alternative clarifies directionality and intentionality.

toward the suspect

Similar to "directed at", this emphasizes the direction of actions or attention. It makes the direction more explicit.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "at the suspect"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "regarding the suspect", "concerning the suspect", or "directed at the suspect".

Is "at the suspect" grammatically correct?

Generally, "at the suspect" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use more specific prepositions or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

How can I use "regarding the suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "regarding the suspect" to introduce a topic or subject of discussion. For example, "The police have released new information regarding the suspect".

What is the difference between "at the suspect" and "towards the suspect"?

"Towards the suspect" indicates direction, while "at the suspect" is generally grammatically incorrect. Use "towards the suspect" to show movement or action directed toward the suspect.