such a person

USAGE SUMMARY

"such a person" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has been previously mentioned or is known to the reader. For example: "John was such a person who always had a smile on his face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I know such a person.

The New York Times

Is there such a person?

Independent

Akalaitis was not such a person.

The New Yorker

Jon Platt is such a person.

The New York Times

I am not such a person.

The New York Times

I have identified such a person".

The New York Times

Luckily, I am such a person.

The New York Times

There is such a person.

The New York Times - Food

Aberystwyth had just such a person.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've never actually met such a person.

The New York Times

Richard Dawkins denies being such a person.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the term if you want to sound formal and create some distance with your readers.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "such a person" repeatedly in casual conversation can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "someone like that" or "that kind of person" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a person" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun phrase, pointing to an individual previously mentioned or understood. It serves to specify or emphasize the characteristics or qualities associated with that person, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a person" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to refer back to someone already mentioned, emphasizing their qualities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is important to be mindful of the register, avoiding overuse in informal settings. By using appropriate alternatives and understanding the subtle nuances, you can effectively incorporate "such a person" into your writing to create a clear and connected narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person like that

Emphasizes similarity to a previously mentioned person.

an individual of that nature

More formal and emphasizes the person's character or disposition.

someone of that kind

Highlights the person's belonging to a specific category or type.

a similar individual

Focuses on the resemblance to another person in terms of traits or circumstances.

a person of that description

Refers to someone matching a given set of attributes or characteristics.

that type of person

Highlights a specific stereotype or category of person.

an example of that

Uses a person to represent a broader concept or category.

an equivalent person

Highlights someone with equal standing or qualities to another.

a corresponding person

Implies a person with matching or related qualities in a different context.

one of those people

More colloquial and can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "such a person" to refer back to someone you've already described. For example, "She was dedicated to her work. I've rarely met "a person like that"".

What's a more informal way to say "such a person"?

In informal contexts, you can use phrases like "someone like that", "that kind of person", or "one of those people" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a such person" instead of "such a person"?

No, the correct grammatical order is "such a person". The determiner "a" precedes the noun it modifies, and "such" acts as an intensifier before the article.

What is the difference between "such a person" and ""a person like that""?

"Such a person" generally implies a stronger emphasis on the qualities or characteristics already described, whereas "a person like that" simply draws a comparison or similarity.