unknown individual

USAGE SUMMARY

"unknown individual" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you are referring to someone who is not known or identified. For example, "The police are still searching for the unknown individual who left the package on the doorstep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

GCHQ sent intelligence to MI5 showing that an unknown individual had shown interest in extremist media online which it sent to MI5.

The Guardian

Two months ago, as an unknown individual shot teen-agers on a Norwegian island, commentary converged on the central issue: Muslim fundamentalists or lone maniac?

The New Yorker

Such an expectation is most unlikely, however, to be construed as an intent to be joint authors together with some unknown individual.

Harvard University

Also, some newspaper clippings mentioning Einstein and Sternglass and a copy of a letter from Louis de Broglie to an unknown individual (found amongst the Einstein letters).

Cornell University

"A crowd formed and an unknown individual punched a police captain on the scene," said Paul J. Browne, the Police Department's chief spokesman.

The New York Times

But it has been enormously successful at identifying previously unknown individual genes.Dr Eisen wondered if it could be pushed still further.

The Economist

A police source was quoted on the Liberation website saying that the video had been uploaded abroad, and that either it had been the work of Boumeddiene after she had fled France for Syria or "an unknown individual was responsible".

The Guardian

The insanity of plucking an unknown individual from their environment and catapulting them into an entirely different one, then promptly removing them again (versus the alternative of denying them respite from difficult circumstances).

The Guardian - Books

Could you handle the stress, the fear, the anticipation, of knowing that your work could all be for naught if it doesn't meet the uncertain standards of an unknown individual?

The Guardian

Second, even when average or median effect sizes of products appear similar, treatment responses in individual patients may differ from one drug in a class to the next, owing to known or unknown individual patient characteristics.

Nature

The PM is expected to mention allegations that in 2009 an unknown individual acquired a network of offshore companies, which in turn invested in £147m worth of prime property in some of the capital's most famous addresses.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "unknown individual" to maintain a neutral and objective tone, especially in legal or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "unknown individual" in casual conversation or informal writing. Alternatives like "someone" or "a person" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unknown individual" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It refers to a person whose identity is not known or has not been established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unknown individual" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, particularly in formal contexts like news reports, scientific articles, and academic papers. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively identifies a person whose identity is not known. While alternatives such as "unidentified person" or simply "someone" exist, "unknown individual" offers a specific nuance of formality and objectivity. It's essential to consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate term, avoiding overuse in casual settings. When used, place the term between quotation marks and render in bold in your markdown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unidentified individual

States that the person has not been identified yet.

anonymous individual

Focuses on the lack of identified name or origin.

unnamed individual

Highlights the absence of a specified name.

nameless individual

Indicates the person lacks a name, or their name is irrelevant.

uncertain individual

Emphasizes doubt or lack of knowledge regarding the person's identity.

undisclosed individual

Suggests that the identity is deliberately being kept secret.

person of unknown identity

Rephrases to emphasize the lack of identification.

unfamiliar individual

Focuses on the lack of prior acquaintance or knowledge.

unspecified person

Replaces 'individual' with a more generic term.

mystery person

Implies intrigue or uncertainty surrounding the individual.

FAQs

How to use "unknown individual" in a sentence?

Use "unknown individual" to refer to a person whose identity is not known or has not been disclosed. For example, "The police are searching for the "unknown individual" who committed the crime."

What can I say instead of "unknown individual"?

You can use alternatives like "unidentified person", "anonymous person", or simply "someone" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unknown individual" or "unidentified individual"?

Both ""unknown individual"" and "unidentified individual" are correct. "Unidentified individual" specifically means that the person's identity has not yet been established, while "unknown individual" simply means the identity is not known, regardless of whether efforts have been made to discover it.

Is "unknown individual" formal?

Yes, ""unknown individual"" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for official reports, news articles, and academic writing. In less formal settings, "someone" or "a person" might be more appropriate.