main suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

"main suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used in legal or crime-related contexts to refer to the primary or most likely suspect in a case. Example: The police have announced that the main suspect in the robbery case has been arrested and will face charges tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Mr Tikhonov, the main suspect, escaped.

The Economist

The main suspect was arrested last Sunday.

The New York Times

Main suspect in Mumbai bombings pleads guilty.

The New Yorker

The main suspect is Doll.

The Guardian - Books

Behishti then became the main suspect.

The Guardian

Russia refused to extradite the main suspect, another former spook.

The Economist

Initially, the main suspect was another fungus, Aspergillus.

The New York Times - Health

The main suspect is an Afghan National Army soldier.

The New Yorker

The main suspect, Bruce Ivins, died in an apparent suicide in 2008, his motive unknown.

The Economist

Rab spokesman Major Maksudal Alam said: "He is the main suspect".

Independent

Cabañas was shot in January and the main suspect is still at large.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or criminal matters, use "main suspect" to clearly identify the individual whom investigators believe is most likely to be responsible for a crime. Be mindful of potential legal implications and avoid language that suggests guilt before a conviction.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "main suspect" in a way that suggests guilt before a trial or without sufficient evidence. Use neutral language like "alleged" or "suspected" to maintain objectivity and avoid defamation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main suspect" functions as a noun phrase identifying the individual considered most likely to have committed a crime. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main suspect" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to designate the individual law enforcement deems most likely to have committed a crime. Ludwig's analysis shows that it's a noun phrase primarily found in News & Media and Academia, functioning to clearly identify the focus of an investigation. While alternatives like "prime suspect" or "person of interest" exist, "main suspect" maintains a neutral register suitable for objective reporting. Remember to use this term responsibly, avoiding any premature judgments before due process is complete. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and understood in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prime suspect

This alternative uses "prime" to emphasize the suspect's importance in the investigation.

primary suspect

This phrase substitutes "primary" for "main", highlighting the suspect's foremost role.

principal suspect

This uses "principal" instead of "main", conveying the same core meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

lead suspect

This option uses "lead" to indicate that this suspect is at the forefront of the investigation.

chief suspect

Here, "chief" indicates the suspect with the highest level of suspicion.

key suspect

This alternative uses "key" to denote the suspect's central importance to the case.

alleged perpetrator

This emphasizes that the person is accused but not yet convicted.

presumed culprit

This implies that the person is considered guilty until proven otherwise.

suspected individual

This alternative offers a more neutral and detached way to refer to the person.

person of interest

This is a broader term indicating someone police want to investigate further, but doesn't necessarily mean they are the primary focus.

FAQs

What does "main suspect" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "main suspect" refers to the individual that law enforcement considers to be the most likely perpetrator of a crime, based on available evidence and leads. This designation guides the direction of the investigation.

What can I say instead of "main suspect" to sound more neutral?

To maintain neutrality, you can use phrases like "person of interest", "alleged perpetrator", or "suspected individual". These options avoid implying guilt before due process.

Is there a difference between "main suspect" and "prime suspect"?

The terms "main suspect" and "prime suspect" are often used interchangeably. Both indicate the leading candidate being investigated for a crime. The nuance is subtle, with "prime" perhaps suggesting a slightly stronger focus.

How should I use "main suspect" in a sentence?

Use "main suspect" to identify the primary focus of a criminal investigation. For example, "The police identified a "main suspect" in the arson case after reviewing security footage."