individual's

USAGE SUMMARY

'individual's' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is the possessive form of the word “individual,” meaning belonging to or associated with one particular person. An example sentence would be: "Katie's success was an example of an individual's hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think that's the individual's responsibility.

BMC Psychiatry

It's just an individual's weakness.

BMC Psychiatry

The individual's feet are gently elevated.

The New Yorker

"We protect the individual's rights".

The New York Times

What about an individual's privacy?

The New York Times - Tech

Voting registration requires an individual's signature.

The New York Times - Tech

But they are certainly the individual's".

The Guardian

The individual's feet are generally elevated.

The Guardian

This is about an individual's rights.

The New York Times - Sports

Rather, the unconscious resources an individual's life.

The Guardian - Opinion

It all depends on an individual's needs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "individual's" to clearly indicate possession or association with a single person, avoiding ambiguity when discussing group characteristics.

Common error

Avoid using "individuals'" when referring to a single person. "Individuals'" indicates something belonging to multiple people, while "individual's" refers to a single person's possession or attribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individual's" functions as a possessive determiner, modifying a noun to indicate ownership, attribute, or relationship to a single person. Ludwig AI confirms it is the possessive form of the word individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "individual's" serves as a possessive determiner, indicating that something belongs to or is associated with a single person. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, ensure you are using the correct possessive form to avoid confusion with the plural possessive "individuals'". Remember, "individual's" is for one person, while "individuals'" is for multiple people. Use it to clearly indicate possession or relation to a single person, and consider alternatives like "belonging to an individual" for variety. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "individual's" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that individual's

Points to a specific individual already mentioned or understood in context.

an individual's own

Emphasizes ownership or personal connection, adding a degree of self-reference.

an individual's personal

Stresses the private or subjective nature of something related to the individual.

belonging to an individual

Rephrases the possessive using a prepositional phrase for a slightly more formal tone.

an individual's private

Highlights the confidential or secluded aspects of something pertaining to the individual.

of a particular individual

Highlights the specificity of the individual being referred to.

an individual's distinctive

Emphasizes what sets the individual apart from others.

an individual's unique

Focuses on the distinct or special characteristic of the individual.

each person's

Replaces "individual's" with a more general term, focusing on every person rather than a specific one.

specific to an individual

Indicates that something is exclusively related to one person.

FAQs

How do I use "individual's" in a sentence?

Use "individual's" to show possession or a characteristic belonging to a single person. For example, "The "individual's rights" must be protected" or "The "individual's perspective" is important to consider".

Is it correct to use "individual's"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "individual's" as the possessive form of "individual". It indicates that something belongs to or is associated with one person.

What's the difference between "individual's" and "individuals'"?

"Individual's" refers to something belonging to a single person, while "individuals'" refers to something belonging to multiple people. For example, "the "individual's choice"" versus "the "individuals' opinions"".

What are some alternatives to using "individual's"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "belonging to an individual", "of a particular individual", or "specific to an individual" to convey a similar meaning.