someone in particular

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone in particular" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to specify a certain individual among a group or when highlighting a specific person of interest. Example: "I was thinking about inviting someone in particular to the party, but I haven't made a final decision yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

Gratitude

Targeting

Preference

Circumstance

Doubt

Cheating

Shopping

Contact

Recollection

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Get into groups of three and share someone in particular you'd like to thank.

University of California, Berkeley

"It looks like they are targeting a certain someone in particular.

The Guardian

It is there only because someone in particular particularly liked it.

The New Yorker

His work suggests that having to be someone in particular is an onerous, perhaps tragic fate.

The New Yorker

As she left, she looked over her shoulder as if looking for someone in particular.

The New York Times

Social entrepreneurs aim to make a difference for someone in particular.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

If you want to transfer your Wells shares to someone else in particular, you must arrange the deal through Wells itself.

Forbes

In the year 2016, it is odd that someone ― in particular, a physician interested in running an entire state ― would believe domestic violence affects only uneducated women with bad jobs because he never saw it in his own family.

HuffPost

If you are a financial insider yourself, you may want to go directly to an interview with someone in a particular niche, your own or one you have always wanted to know more about.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before talking to someone in a particular industry, read a little about it, and especially about its use of analytics.

Forbes

In the post, titled Damnit Amex, Give Me A Credit Card, I complained about the difficulty of someone in my particular demographic to get credit, and noted the usefulness of Credit Karma, a startup that gives people immediate access to their credit report.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "someone in particular" when you want to be intentionally vague about the identity of the person, either to protect their privacy or because their specific identity is not important to the context.

Common error

While "someone in particular" is perfectly acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less precise. Consider using more specific language or naming the person directly if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone in particular" functions as an indefinite pronoun phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a specific, though unnamed, individual. As Ludwig AI shows, it is frequently used to refer to a person without explicitly identifying them.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

14%

Huffington Post

14%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "someone in particular" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to refer to a specific, but often unnamed, individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an indefinite pronoun phrase with a neutral register, frequently found in news and media, and everyday conversations. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in formal writing and to consider more specific language when appropriate. Related phrases like "a specific person" or "a certain individual" can offer alternative ways to express the same idea. Understanding the nuances of its usage helps in conveying the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular person

Swaps "someone" for "a person" while keeping "particular".

a specific person

Replaces "someone" with "a person" and adds the adjective "specific" for emphasis.

one specific person

Adds "one" before "specific person" for slightly more emphasis on the singularity.

a certain individual

Uses "individual" instead of "person" and "certain" instead of "specific" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

a definite person

Uses "definite" to emphasize the distinctness of the individual.

a given person

Implies the person is predetermined or already known in the context.

a distinct individual

Highlights the unique qualities that set the individual apart.

a selected individual

Suggests the person has been chosen from a larger group.

a precise individual

Conveys a sense of accuracy and intentionality in identifying the individual.

a designated person

Implies the person has been officially appointed or assigned.

FAQs

What does "someone in particular" mean?

The phrase "someone in particular" refers to a specific, though often unnamed, individual. It suggests that the person is not just anyone, but a certain individual of interest.

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

You can use "someone in particular" when you want to talk about a specific person without naming them. For example, "I had "someone in particular" in mind for the job."

What can I say instead of "someone in particular"?

You can use alternatives like "a specific person", "a certain individual", or "a particular person" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "someone in particular" or "a specific person"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a specific person" might sound slightly more formal. "Someone in particular" is often used when the specific identity is not important or intentionally being kept vague.