individuals who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "individuals who" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that provides more information about a specific group of people or individuals. Example: "The new policy is aimed at individuals who are looking to improve their financial stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It's individuals who are different.

The New York Times

"There will be individuals who think differently.

The Guardian

Who are the individuals who make decisions?

The New Yorker

"We have individuals who are getting raped, we have individuals who are getting beaten," he said.

The Guardian

Include names of important individuals who shaped Nigerian history.

The New York Times

Ideally, seek out individuals who have worked locally.

The New York Times

Mr. Worner mentioned various individuals who used the machine.

The New Yorker

(Telephoning individuals who write to him is a Francis habit).

The Guardian - Opinion

But there are many individuals who shone irrespective of that.

The Guardian - Sport

Individuals who hear voices use alcohol to self-medicate.

The Guardian

The Red Cross encourages blood donation from individuals who qualify.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "individuals who" when you want to emphasize the distinctness and autonomy of each person within a group.

Common error

Avoid using "which" in place of "who" when referring to people. "Who" is the correct relative pronoun for referring to individuals, while "which" is used for objects or animals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individuals who" functions as a relative clause introducer, connecting a main clause to a subordinate clause that provides additional information about specific people. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to describe or specify a group of people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "individuals who" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in the English language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce a relative clause, specifying a group of people based on certain characteristics. Predominantly found in science and news contexts, it maintains a formal register. While synonyms like "people who" and "those who" exist, "individuals who" offers a more precise and often more formal tone. Remember to use "who", not "which", when referring to people. Employing best practices such as favoring "individuals who" in formal writing and avoiding common errors will ensure clear and effective communication. This phrase is very common across a broad range of authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people that

This alternative uses "people" instead of "individuals", which is slightly less formal.

those who

This option is more concise and direct, implying a specific group.

persons who

Replaces "individuals" with "persons", which is generally considered more formal and legalistic.

those individuals that

This adds "those" for emphasis or to single out a specific set of people.

people which

Uses "which" instead of "who", which is grammatically incorrect but sometimes used colloquially.

members who

This is specific to groups like organizations or clubs.

candidates who

This term applies specifically to individuals in a selection process.

applicants who

This is used specifically when referring to someone applying for a job, or something similar.

citizens who

Refers to individuals with legal citizenship in a particular place.

residents who

This applies specifically to people living in a certain area.

FAQs

How can I use "individuals who" in a sentence?

Use "individuals who" to introduce a clause that describes a specific group of people. For example, "The program is designed for "individuals who" are seeking career advancement".

Is "individuals who" formal or informal?

"Individuals who" is generally considered more formal than "people who" or "those who", making it suitable for academic, professional, and official contexts.

What is a synonym for "individuals who"?

Synonyms for "individuals who" include "persons who", "those who", and "people that", although the level of formality may vary.

When should I use "that" instead of "who" after "individuals"?

While "who" is generally preferred when referring to people, "that" can be used in restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. However, using "who" is typically clearer and more appropriate.