the selfsame person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the selfsame person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that the individual being referred to is the exact same person as mentioned previously, often in a context of comparison or contradiction. Example: "Despite the changes in his appearance, he is still the selfsame person I knew from childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Second, Abelard undertakes to establish that contraries will be present not merely in the genus but even in the selfsame individual.

SEP

You can regard these pictures with the selfsame certainty.

The New Yorker

So every day is in fact the selfsame evening and morning.

The New Yorker

It is for the selfsame reason that I brought Sammy Davis, Jr., Jr., with us.

The New Yorker

He was working out of his house with just the selfsame Ms. Dukas as his secretary.

The New York Times - Science

"MoD fury as Brown wields axe", reports the lead in the selfsame paper.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now behold, the PBS adaptation of Hilary Mantel's prizewinning examinations of the selfsame era, (2009) and (2012).

Britannica

Hadn't the selfsame Fashion Week quadrupled the number of presentations, to 59 this season from 16 in 1994?

The New York Times

She said she was planning to get another big one on her upper arm -- the selfsame tender upper arm.

The New York Times - Health

These accusations all contained some truth, though the selfsame accusers denied women the vote, bolstered racist patriarchy and enthroned mainstream Protestantism as something of a state religion.

The New York Times

It had been stewing gently all day in olive oil from the hotel's trees, and in the selfsame brown wine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the selfsame person" to emphasize that the individual being referred to is precisely the same one previously mentioned, especially when highlighting a contrast or unexpected situation.

Common error

Avoid using "the selfsame person" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or even archaic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "the same person" or "that person."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the selfsame person" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifically emphasizing identity. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. The phrase highlights that the individual being referred to is exactly the same one previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the selfsame person" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the identical nature of an individual across contexts. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it's correct but leans towards the formal side, making it less common in everyday speech. While synonyms like "the very same person" exist, "the selfsame person" carries a distinct, somewhat archaic tone. Due to a lack of examples, the frequency is classified as 'Missing'. When aiming for a less formal tone, alternatives like "the same person" are generally more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the very same person

Replaces "selfsame" with "very same", emphasizing the identical nature of the individual.

the identical person

Substitutes "selfsame" with "identical", highlighting the exact likeness of the person.

the exact same person

Uses "exact same" instead of "selfsame" for added emphasis on the precise identity.

that same person

Replaces "the selfsame" with "that same", providing a slightly less formal tone while retaining the meaning.

the aforementioned person

Employs "aforementioned" to refer back to a person previously mentioned, creating a formal tone.

the individual in question

Uses a more formal and indirect phrasing to refer to the person being discussed.

the person previously mentioned

Explicitly states that the person has been mentioned before, ensuring clarity.

the aforesaid person

A formal alternative to "the selfsame person", indicating someone previously referred to.

the very person

Emphasizes the specific person being referred to, often in a context of surprise or recognition.

the individual concerned

A more detached and formal way to refer to the person involved.

FAQs

How can I use "the selfsame person" in a sentence?

Use "the selfsame person" when you want to emphasize that someone is exactly the same individual as previously referred to, often to highlight a surprising or contradictory situation. For example: "Despite the changes in his life, he remained "the selfsame person" I had always known."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "the selfsame person"?

Alternatives to "the selfsame person" include "the very same person", "the identical person", or "the exact same person". These phrases convey the same emphasis on identical identity but with varying degrees of formality.

Is "the selfsame person" considered formal language?

Yes, "the selfsame person" is relatively formal and somewhat archaic. In many contexts, simpler alternatives like "the same person" are preferred, especially in informal settings.

When is it appropriate to use "the selfsame person" over "the same person"?

Use "the selfsame person" when you want to create a sense of emphasis or highlight a surprising or ironic connection to a previously mentioned individual. In most other situations, "the same person" is perfectly adequate.