suspicious person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspicious person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who appears to be involved in questionable or illicit activities, often in contexts related to security or law enforcement. Example: "The security guard reported a suspicious person loitering near the entrance of the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

54, suspicious person.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2, report of a suspicious person; Bldg.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I am not a suspicious person".

The New York Times

E23, suspicious activity, Vassar Street suspicious person, check and inquiry.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

NW10, jacket stolen, $300; Amherst Alley, suspicious person.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

13, suspicious person stopped and issued a trespass warning; Bldg.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He was the subject of a suspicious person complaint.

The New Yorker

"I'm not a suspicious person," Ms. Einstein said.

The New York Times

Police were responding to a call about a suspicious person.

The Washington Post

In describing a suspicious person, how many attributes are enough?

Harvard Business Review

Q: If you're doing crypto offline, will anything highlight you as a suspicious person?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain objectivity and avoid potential bias, focus on observable behaviors and factual details when using the term "suspicious person" in reports or descriptions. Providing specific information helps ensure fair and accurate assessment.

Common error

Avoid using vague or emotionally charged language when describing a "suspicious person". Base your assessment on concrete observations rather than feelings or assumptions, as subjective impressions can lead to misinterpretations and biases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious person" functions as a noun phrase, where "suspicious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "person". It is used to identify an individual whose behavior or presence raises concern or mistrust. Ludwig examples show that it is often used in reports to law enforcement or security personnel.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspicious person" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes an individual whose behavior or presence raises concern. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase. It's frequently used in both news reports and academic contexts to describe situations where an individual's actions warrant attention. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, focusing on objective observations rather than subjective impressions, to avoid perpetuating harmful biases. Alternatives include "person of interest" or "unidentified individual" for less accusatory language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspicious character

Slightly more formal alternative, emphasizing moral ambiguity.

dubious individual

Emphasizes the questionable nature of the person's character or intentions.

questionable character

Highlights concerns about the person's integrity and trustworthiness.

shady figure

Suggests a clandestine or secretive nature associated with the person.

dodgy character

Informal term suggesting dishonesty or potential for wrongdoing.

person of interest

Often used in law enforcement contexts to describe someone being investigated.

untrustworthy individual

Directly indicates a lack of trust in the person's behavior or motives.

enigmatic person

Highlights the mysterious and difficult-to-understand nature of the person.

unidentified individual

Focuses on the lack of recognition or identification of the person.

unknown person

Simply indicates that the person is not known or recognized.

FAQs

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

You can use "suspicious person" to report someone whose behavior or presence raises concerns, like in the sentence, "The security guard reported a "suspicious person" loitering near the entrance."

What's a less accusatory way to describe a "suspicious person"?

Depending on the context, consider using terms like "person of interest" or "unidentified individual" to avoid premature judgment.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as a "suspicious person" based solely on their appearance?

No, describing someone as a "suspicious person" based solely on appearance is inappropriate and can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Focus on specific behaviors and circumstances that raise concerns, not on appearance.

What should I do if I see a "suspicious person"?

If you encounter a "suspicious person", remain calm and observe their behavior. Contact the appropriate authorities (police, security) and provide detailed information about what you observed, focusing on specific actions and descriptions without making assumptions.