specific person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'specific person' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to a particular individual as opposed to a group of people. For example, "The police are looking for a specific person who witnessed the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not a specific person.

The New Yorker

He loved one specific person.

The New Yorker

It's for a specific person on earth.

The New York Times - Magazine

Researching a specific person, family, or town?

Columbia University

"It's not about any one specific person.

Independent

Spear phishing – a specialised attack targeted on a specific person.

The Guardian

"I never think of London as one specific person.

The Guardian - Music

Asking a specific person for help isn't without cost, either.

The New York Times

We combine these features and use an online boosting approach to create the specific person classifier.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

It allows the robot to identify the specific person robustly even in a severe illumination environment.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

The individual Purchasing Card is issued to a specific person.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "particular individual" instead of "specific person" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "specific person" excessively in casual conversations. Simpler terms like "someone" or using the person's name directly are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific person" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is used to single out an individual from a larger group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "specific person" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a particular individual, distinct from a general group. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread applicability. While its usage spans various contexts, it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Academia. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "particular individual", and in casual conversations, direct naming might be more suitable. Remember, the goal is clarity and precision in identifying the person in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular individual

Replaces "person" with "individual", emphasizing the distinctness of the person.

certain person

Substitutes "specific" with "certain", suggesting a known but not necessarily named individual.

named individual

Replaces "specific" with "named", highlighting that the person has been identified by name.

designated person

Implies that the person has been officially chosen or appointed for something.

individual in question

Used to refer back to a previously mentioned individual.

relevant individual

Highlights the importance or pertinence of the person to the context.

identifiable person

Emphasizes that the person can be recognized or distinguished from others.

the individual concerned

Formal way to refer to the person who is affected or involved in a situation.

a given person

Emphasizes that a person has been decided or is already known.

a particular party

Replaces "person" with "party", more common in legal or formal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "specific person" to indicate you are referring to a particular individual, as in "The information is intended only for a "specific person" in the company".

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

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "particular individual" or "designated person" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "specific person", or can I just use "person"?

Using "specific person" adds emphasis that you are not talking about just anyone, but a particular individual. If the context makes it clear, "person" alone may suffice, but ""specific person"" clarifies that it is not a general case.

When is it better to name the "specific person" directly?

Whenever possible and appropriate, naming the person directly is preferable for clarity and directness. Only use ""specific person"" when the person's name is unknown or irrelevant to the context.