definite person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definite person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to specify a particular individual or a specific type of person. Example: "In this study, we are focusing on a definite person who has experienced the phenomenon firsthand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

An uncanny muscularity underlies this technical passage, with its knotted allusion to the "very definite" person who must transform himself if he wishes to be worthy of a dead lady.

The New York Times - Books

"It is almost impossible to see it as concentrated in any definite person or persons," he crisply informs the man on the end of the phone, "if only because the world has long since become too complicated for even the most determined and intelligent individual to exert his will, except in very limited areas".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you are using a third person that has a definite personality or point of view, make a list of their attributes and how they would "talk".

WikiHow

Mr. Preminger, the brother of the producer Otto Preminger, called Mr. Miller a person of strong friendships and a definite personality.

The New York Times - Arts

"There's a long way to go before anything is definite," one person involved in the talks said.

The New York Times - Tech

Outgoing and a definite "people person," she told me that she is pursuing her goal of going into some form of mass communication.

Huffington Post

For example, the definite description 'the person who invented bifocals' has the same content with respect to all contexts.

SEP

For example, on some views of this type, the content of the name 'Benjamin Franklin', in some speakers' idiolects, is the same as that of the definite description 'the person who invented bifocals'.

SEP

Therefore we believe it is an important finding of this study that it cannot be concluded by implication that personal values in life give a definite indication of a person's probable preferences for end-of-life care.

BMC Medical Ethics

Twenty six contacts were diagnosed with definite TB over 4312 person years of follow-up (Incidence rate 603/100,000 person years; 95% Confidence Interval, 370 830).

Plosone

This generalization is borne out by pronouns, names, and semantically attenuate definite NPs like "the person".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definite person" when you want to emphasize that you are referring to a specific individual with clearly defined characteristics or role within a context.

Common error

Avoid using "definite person" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "specific individual" or "identified subject" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definite person" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "definite" modifies the noun "person". It serves to specify an individual who is clearly identifiable or has distinct characteristics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definite person" is used to denote a specific and identifiable individual. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not overly formal, its usage can be refined by considering context-specific alternatives like "specific individual" or "particular person". It appears frequently in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, and is important to use when emphasizing a specific individual within a given context, as opposed to a generalized one. As with any phrase, choose the wording that best suits the intended meaning and register of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific individual

Focuses on the particularity and uniqueness of the person.

particular person

Emphasizes the distinctness of the person being referred to.

identifiable person

Highlights the ease with which the person can be recognized or distinguished.

ascertainable individual

Stresses the ability to determine or confirm the identity of the person.

certain individual

Indicates a specific, though not necessarily named, person.

well-defined person

Emphasizes the clarity and precision with which the person's characteristics or role are known.

distinct person

Highlights the separateness and individuality of the person.

clearly defined individual

Focuses on the clarity with which the person's traits or identity are established.

specified person

Indicates that the person has been explicitly mentioned or designated.

determined individual

Suggests that the person's identity has been established or resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "definite person" in a sentence?

You can use "definite person" to refer to someone with a clear identity or role, as in "The investigation focused on a "specific individual" identified as the primary suspect, a "definite person" with a known motive".

What are some alternatives to saying "definite person"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "specific individual", "particular person", or "identified subject".

Is it always necessary to use "definite person" when referring to someone specific?

No, using "definite person" is not always necessary. Simpler terms like "person" or "individual" may suffice if the context already implies specificity. However, it can add emphasis when needed.

What distinguishes "definite person" from "person"?

"Person" is a general term, while "definite person" implies a higher degree of clarity and certainty about the individual's identity or characteristics. The choice depends on the level of specificity required.