the individual concerned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the individual concerned' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a specific person, but need to remain general or do not want to use the person's name. For example: "The individual concerned had a difficult decision to make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prosecutors have not named the individual concerned.

The Guardian - Business

The NAO said it would not identify the individual concerned.

The Guardian

They can contain truths for the individual concerned.

The Guardian - Opinion

We condemn the actions of the individual concerned.

The Guardian - Sport

In some cases the auditors were unable to locate either the company or the individual concerned.

The Guardian

The individual concerned, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the program: "Nobody came to our house.

The New York Times

If the individual concerned is out there and dismembering the body, there's something else going on.

Independent

* The individual concerned wants interested parties to submit evidence to the commission by 20 November.

Independent

Officers are making efforts to contact the individual concerned, but have launched an investigation into the posts".

The Guardian - Sport

All members of our delegation, including the individual concerned, are accounted for, and are safe and well".

The Guardian - Sport

We have raised the issue with the individual concerned and are discussing it as a matter of urgency".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly identifies who "the individual concerned" is to avoid ambiguity. For example, mention the person's role or involvement in the situation beforehand.

Common error

Avoid using "the individual concerned" in casual conversations or informal writing where it can sound overly formal or stilted. Simpler alternatives like "the person" or "they" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the individual concerned" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a determiner phrase. It identifies a particular person without explicitly naming them. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the individual concerned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to refer to a specific person without explicitly naming them. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to maintain anonymity or generality across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media and Science, it carries a neutral to formal tone. When writing, use the phrase to withhold a specific name from the public. However, be aware of its possible overuse in informal writing where a simpler phrasing is more suitable. Remember, the key is ensuring the phrase is appropriate for the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the person in question

Replaces "individual" with "person" and uses "in question" to specify the subject.

the individual in question

Emphasizes that the individual is the one being considered or investigated.

the party involved

Substitutes "individual" with "party" and "concerned" with "involved", emphasizing participation in a situation.

the relevant person

Replaces "concerned" with "relevant", highlighting the person's importance to the matter at hand.

the subject in question

Emphasizes the person as the topic or subject being discussed.

the aforementioned individual

Formally refers back to an individual previously mentioned.

the respective person

Indicates a specific person in relation to a specific situation or item.

the implicated party

Suggests the person is connected to something, often something negative.

the designated person

Highlights that the person has been officially chosen or assigned.

the aforementioned party

More formally refers to a party that has been mentioned previously.

FAQs

How can I use "the individual concerned" in a sentence?

You can use "the individual concerned" to refer to a specific person without naming them directly. For example, "The individual concerned declined to comment".

What are some alternatives to "the individual concerned"?

Alternatives include "the person in question", "the party involved", or "the relevant person", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the individual concerned"?

It's appropriate in formal writing, legal documents, or when maintaining confidentiality. In casual settings, simpler terms might be preferable. For example, in legal writing it's common to use the term in sentences like "the individual concerned is under investigation".

What's the difference between "the individual concerned" and "the person concerned"?

While both are similar, "the individual concerned" may sound slightly more formal than "the person concerned". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.