certain individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific person without naming them directly, often in legal, formal, or narrative contexts. Example: "The investigation revealed that a certain individual had been involved in the incident, but their identity remains confidential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm looking for a certain individual," I said.

The New York Times

He had only one certain individual in mind.

Independent

In those cases, obligations to certain individual plan holders require the contributions.

The New York Times

"In our times it was always up to the brilliance of certain individual players.

The Guardian - Sport

"In a row with a certain individual, the individual killed him," Mr. Bereket said.

The New York Times

Kennedy's episodic departure from conservative jurisprudence reflected a civil-libertarian perspective on certain individual rights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But you may wish to talk to a certain individual who matches the profile of the author on many levels".

The New Yorker

Americans may approve of certain individual policies of Obamacare right now, but may not once a strenuous debate takes place.

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, although certain individual liberties are being tentatively encouraged these days, there are numerous red lines that cannot be crossed.

The Economist

With the limitation of the craft, you have to focus on a certain individual – otherwise it would become like a documentary".

The Guardian

Speaking in its defense today, the home minister, L. K. Advani, argued that in times of war certain individual rights had to be suspended.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain individual" when you want to refer to a specific person without revealing their name, especially in formal writing or when the identity is confidential.

Common error

Avoid using "certain individual" in casual conversations; it can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "someone" or "a person" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain individual" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a substitute for a proper noun. It's used to denote a specific person without explicitly stating their name. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain individual" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a specific person without explicitly naming them. As Ludwig AI points out, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While it's suitable for formal and professional writing, it should be used sparingly in casual conversation. Alternatives like ""specific person"" or "particular individual" can be used interchangeably, while simpler terms such as "someone" or "a person" are preferable in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific individual

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the individuality of the person.

particular individual

Uses "particular" instead of "certain", highlighting a specific person.

specific person

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing a particular person is being referred to.

particular person

Uses "particular" instead of "certain", indicating a distinct person.

a given person

Implies the person is already known or under consideration.

a designated person

Suggests the person has been officially chosen or assigned.

a named individual

Indicates the person has been identified by name elsewhere.

an identified person

Implies the person's identity is known, possibly after an investigation.

a aforementioned individual

Refers to someone previously mentioned.

an unnamed person

Emphasizes that the person's identity is being withheld.

FAQs

How to use "certain individual" in a sentence?

You can use "certain individual" to refer to a specific person without naming them directly. For example, "The investigation is focused on a certain individual who may have information about the crime."

What can I say instead of "certain individual"?

You can use alternatives like "specific person", "particular person", or "unnamed person" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "certain individual" or "specific person"?

"Certain individual" generally carries a slightly more formal or legalistic tone compared to "specific person", though both are appropriate in formal contexts.

When should I avoid using "certain individual"?

Avoid using "certain individual" in informal settings or casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal. Use simpler terms like "someone" or "a person" instead.