person

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a human being, or an individual of unspecified gender. For example, "The person was wearing a blue shirt when they entered the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think she was the most practical, efficient and organised person I have known.

The Guardian

Only one entry per person.

The Guardian

I'm not that kind of person.

The New York Times

So when a white person holds objectionable views — racism, for example — we rightly condemn them.

The New York Times

In the law of torts, our tradition, our law, has been that you don't have the duty to rescue someone if that person is in danger.

The New York Times

Which living person do you most despise, and why?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His heroism had been forgotten, but doing something like this means you give the person whose life was cut short another chance, and you acknowledge the part their life played in the next chapter of your family's story".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Baltimore television station WBAL interviewed a person that it described as a relative of one of the officers in the van.

The Guardian

Intent on offering his condolences and meeting Abdullah's successor in person, Obama led an exceptionally high-powered delegation to Riyadh that included former secretaries of state, past presidential candidates and senior military commanders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "person" when referring to an individual without specifying gender. If the gender is known and relevant, consider using "man" or "woman".

Common error

While "person" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "individual", "participant", or other context-specific terms to enhance readability and avoid repetition.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "person" is as a noun, referring to an individual human being. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness, and examples show it used as both a general term and in specific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Sport

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "person" is a common and versatile noun used to refer to an individual human being. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its frequent appearance in contexts such as news and media, lifestyle, and formal business settings. While "person" serves as a general term, synonyms like "individual" and "human being" offer more formal or emphatic alternatives. When using "person", be mindful of gender-neutral language and avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms where appropriate. It's important to remember that the plural of "person" is more commonly "people" and reserve "persons" for formal writing. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "person" to convey their intended meaning with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual

Replaces "person" with a more formal term, often used in legal or official contexts.

human being

Emphasizes the human aspect, suitable in philosophical or ethical discussions.

someone

Offers a less formal alternative, useful when the specific identity is unknown or unimportant.

an individual

Adds emphasis to the singularity and distinct nature of the subject.

member

Refers to a "person" as part of a group or organization.

character

Describes a "person" within a narrative or dramatic context.

figure

Highlights the "person" as a notable or prominent entity.

being

A broader term that encompasses any existing entity, not necessarily human.

party

Used in legal contexts to refer to a "person" or entity involved in an agreement or dispute.

soul

Adds a spiritual or emotional dimension to the reference of a "person".

FAQs

How do I use "person" in a sentence?

Use "person" to refer to an individual, like in "The "person" I saw yesterday was very kind".

What's a more formal alternative to "person"?

In more formal contexts, you can substitute "person" with alternatives like "individual" or "party" (in legal settings).

Is it correct to use "persons" as the plural of "person"?

While "persons" is grammatically correct, "people" is much more commonly used as the plural of "person" in general usage. Reserve "persons" for formal or legal contexts.

What's the difference between "person" and "people"?

"Person" refers to a single individual, while "people" refers to a group of individuals. For example, "That "person" is waiting" versus "Those "people" are waiting".