public figures

USAGE SUMMARY

"public figures" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing people who are widely known for their involvement with politics or other public affairs. For example, "The public figures on both sides of the political spectrum have been vocal about the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public figures do it too.

The Economist

So do most public figures.

The Economist

Very few public figures do that.

The New York Times

But they remain very different public figures.

The New York Times - Sports

They are definitely public figures.

The Washington Post

Many public figures supported peace.

The Washington Post

He's the most private of public figures.

The New Yorker

He's the Antarctica of public figures.

The Washington Post

But the Verneys were public figures, too.

The Guardian - Books

For public figures it can be ruinous.

The Guardian - Opinion

He starts listing some famous public figures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "public figures", be specific about the area of their influence (e.g., political, entertainment, sports) to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "public figures" have broad influence across all areas of society. Their influence is often limited to their specific field or area of expertise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public figures" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows that it denotes individuals with a significant public presence and influence. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "public figures" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe individuals widely known in public life. As validated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, mainly in news and media but also in encyclopedias and academia. Ludwig's examples show it's essential to consider the specific context and area of influence when using this term. Related phrases such as "prominent individuals" and "well-known personalities" offer nuanced alternatives, and awareness of common errors helps ensure precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prominent individuals

Focuses on the visibility and importance of the people.

well-known personalities

Emphasizes the familiarity and recognition of these individuals.

celebrated people

Highlights the fame and admiration.

leading voices

Focuses on the influential people in certain areas.

notable figures

Suggests people that are worthy of attention.

influential people

Highlights people who can affect others.

high-profile individuals

Focuses on the people that receive significant media attention.

public personalities

Similar, but can sometimes apply to people famous locally.

famous faces

Emphasizes the recognition and renown.

people in the public eye

Highlights their constant visibility and scrutiny.

FAQs

How to use "public figures" in a sentence?

You can use "public figures" to refer to people well-known for their involvement in public life. For example, "The opinions of "public figures" often influence public opinion".

What can I say instead of "public figures"?

You can use alternatives like "prominent individuals", "well-known personalities", or "leading voices" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "public figure" or "public figures"?

"Public figure" refers to a single person, while ""public figures"" refers to multiple people.

What's the difference between "public figures" and "celebrities"?

"Public figures" generally refers to people known for their role in politics, business, or other aspects of public life, while "celebrities" typically refers to people known for their entertainment value, such as actors and musicians.