hypothetical person

USAGE SUMMARY

"hypothetical person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person that is imagined or does not exist. For example, "The researcher studied the behavior of a hypothetical person in a laboratory setting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

They also tend to agree, across cultures, that a hypothetical person in a hypothetically deterministic world would not be responsible for his sins.

The New York Times - Science

No. 31: Yeah! Let's call this hypothetical person something French, something French like "Flaubert".

The New Yorker

She's on all of them!" Just as a thought experiment (redundant, now that Criado-Perez has won), try to explain to a hypothetical person why the Queen does not count as a "woman of note".

The Guardian - Opinion

As Kagan notes, when describing the pressures on the hypothetical person who comes before the government: "After all, she wants, very badly, what the judge or poll worker or immigration official has to offer".

The New Yorker

Yet in the background of his films lingers a sorrowing contempt for the blithe, banal member of "the public" – that hypothetical person who accepts society as it is, who believes bread will always come ready-packaged, and who is too busy updating their Facebook page to notice how at any moment nature might sweep us all off the Earth.

The Guardian - Film

That was all it took: The students who held a cup of iced coffee rated a hypothetical person they later read about as being much colder, less social and more selfish than did their fellow students, who had momentarily held a cup of hot java.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

For the hypothetical analysis to make sense, it must be shown that hypothetical persons in the contract can agree to be bound by some principle P regulating social arrangements.

SEP

The names of the hypothetical persons in the vignettes were chosen to be related to the same sex as the respondent and culturally appropriate.

Global Health Action

It also meant that in any block of 360 surveys, the presentation was counter-balanced such that no two participants would read descriptions of the same three versions of the hypothetical persons.

BMC Public Health

Respondents assessed the functional ability of their own self and that of the hypothetical persons in the vignettes, on a five-point ordinal scale of increasing difficulty (no difficulty, mild, moderate, severe, and extreme difficulty).

Global Health Action

In the next seventy years, the new laws are likely to improve the lot of exactly one now-hypothetical person.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hypothetical person" in research, clearly define the characteristics and context of the hypothetical individual to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that your "hypothetical person" has enough defined traits to make the scenario realistic and relevant. A poorly defined hypothetical may lead to misinterpretations or irrelevant conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hypothetical person" functions as a noun phrase, where "hypothetical" modifies "person". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to introduce an imaginary individual for the purpose of discussion or analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hypothetical person" is a grammatically sound and widely used term to introduce an imaginary individual in various contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Its purpose is to facilitate theoretical exploration or analysis. While generally neutral to formal in tone, it is most frequently found in scientific and news-related sources. When employing the phrase, it's advisable to clearly define the characteristics of the "hypothetical person" to ensure clarity and relevance within the discussion. Alternative terms include "fictional character" and "imaginary individual", each with subtle differences in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notional individual

Similar to "hypothetical", but may imply a more vague or indefinite representation.

imaginary individual

Emphasizes the creation of someone in the mind, highlighting the imaginative aspect.

fictional character

Focuses on character within a narrative context, implying a more developed persona than a general hypothetical individual.

supposed person

Highlights the assumption or postulation of the individual, rather than concrete existence.

model person

Suggests a person used as a standard or example, often in simulations or analyses.

theoretical entity

Shifts to a more abstract concept, suitable for scientific or philosophical discussions.

simulated subject

Typically used in research or testing scenarios where behaviors are observed.

constructed persona

Suggests the person is deliberately created for a specific purpose or experiment.

illustrative figure

Highlights the role of the person in explaining or clarifying a concept or scenario.

example case

Shifts focus from the person to the situation, representing the person as part of an example.

FAQs

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

You can use "hypothetical person" to refer to an individual in a scenario that is imagined or theoretical. For example, "Researchers created a profile of a "hypothetical person" to test the effectiveness of the new policy."

What is a good alternative to "hypothetical person"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fictional character", "imaginary individual", or "theoretical entity".

Is it more appropriate to say "hypothetical individual" or "hypothetical person"?

Both "hypothetical individual" and "hypothetical person" are correct and often interchangeable. "Person" is generally more common in everyday language, while "individual" may be preferred in more formal or academic contexts.

What's the difference between a "hypothetical person" and a "fictional character"?

A "hypothetical person" is generally used in scenarios or thought experiments, while a "fictional character" is typically part of a narrative or story. The "fictional character" usually has a more developed personality and backstory.