particular person

USAGE SUMMARY

"particular person" is an acceptable phrase that is widely used in written English.
For example, you might say "I have a particular person in mind for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's a very particular person".

The New Yorker

"They don't remember a particular person.

The New York Times

It's not for any one particular person".

The Guardian

Or just what it's like for this particular person?

The New York Times - Books

It's who one particular person was last night".

The New York Times

It's a particular person who rises up the tour.

The Guardian - Sport

Not that we have a particular person in mind.

The New York Times

One particular person she is definitely not dating is Putin.

The Guardian - Film

Was he/she based on a particular person?

The Guardian - Film

"But as it turns out, this particular person said he would like to remain anonymous".

The New York Times

Their problem is finding evidence to convict a particular person of a crime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision in your writing, use "particular person" to emphasize you are referring to one specific individual, rather than a general group. It adds clarity and focus.

Common error

Avoid using "particular person" in very casual conversation. Simpler terms like "someone" or "the person" are often more appropriate and natural-sounding in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "particular person" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier, specifying the type of person being referred to. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in identifying a specific individual from a group or category. It adds specificity to the noun "person".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "particular person" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a specific individual, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase modifier and serves to identify someone with precision. While most frequent in news and media, it also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis underlines its broad applicability across various registers. While acceptable in most contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferred in casual settings. Its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian further solidifies its validity and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific person

Emphasizes the specificity of the person, similar in meaning but with a slightly different word order.

specific individual

Replaces "person" with "individual" emphasizing the unique and distinct nature of the person.

certain individual

Uses "certain" to highlight the definiteness and specificity of the person in question.

specified person

Highlights the fact that the person has been clearly identified or named.

distinct person

Focuses on the unique and distinguishable characteristics of the person.

individual in question

Refers to a person who is under discussion or consideration.

relevant person

Highlights the person's importance or pertinence to the situation.

person involved

Indicates someone who is connected to or participating in a particular event or situation.

designated individual

Implies that the person has been officially chosen or appointed for a specific purpose.

a given person

Refers to a person who is already known or specified.

FAQs

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

You can use "particular person" to refer to a specific individual, as in "I had a "particular person" in mind for this role" or "Is there any "particular person" you'd like to thank?".

What's the difference between "specific person" and "particular person"?

While both "specific person" and "particular person" are very similar, "particular person" often implies a higher degree of intentionality or pre-selection than "specific person".

What can I say instead of "particular person"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "specific individual", "certain individual", or simply "the person".

Is it always necessary to use "particular person" instead of "person"?

No, it's not always necessary. Use "particular person" when you want to emphasize that you are referring to a specific, identifiable individual. Otherwise, "person" is often sufficient.