unknown person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'unknown person' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to someone whose identity is not known or cannot be determined. Example: The police are searching for the unknown person who was caught on the security camera committing the robbery last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She believes an unknown person fraudulently provided her personal information to an employer.

Los Angeles Times

Unknown person purchases.

The Washington Post

Note, April 17, 1895 to unknown person.

Cornell University

The DNA belongs to an unknown person, possibly the killer.

The New York Times

The Palestinian is an unknown person in the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

A previously unknown person thus became a celebrity patient.

The New York Times - Health

Governor Dewey, is a relatively unknown person here.

The New Yorker

That allowed a previously unknown person to begin a grass-roots presidential campaign through the site.

The New York Times

An unknown person or group sneaked a rogue advertisement onto the site's pages.

The New York Times - Tech

"We can't let some unknown person in, someone even I don't know.

The New York Times

This unknown person makes for interesting interpretation; possibly a lover or friend.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, consider using more evocative alternatives like "mystery person" or "unidentified figure" to enhance the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "unknown person" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or detached. Opt for simpler terms like "someone" or "somebody".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unknown person" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It is used to denote an individual whose identity is not known or has not been specified. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unknown person" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to refer to an individual whose identity is not known. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. The neutral tone makes it suitable for objective reporting and factual communication. While alternatives such as "unidentified individual" or "unnamed person" exist, "unknown person" offers a clear and widely understood way to indicate that a person's identity remains unspecified. When writing, remember to consider the context and formality of your writing and avoid overuse in casual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the person in question

Refers to a specific person already mentioned or understood within the context.

unidentified individual

More formal and often used in official reports or news articles.

unnamed person

Simple and direct, suitable for general contexts.

anonymous individual

Emphasizes the lack of identification or deliberate concealment of identity.

person unknown

A more stylized and slightly archaic phrasing, often found in legal contexts.

mystery person

Suggests an element of intrigue or suspense.

somebody

A very general and informal term, implying the person exists but is not specified.

a certain person

Indicates the existence of a person without revealing their identity.

individual in question

Used when discussing a specific person whose name is not necessarily known or relevant.

party in question

A formal way to refer to someone involved in a legal or official matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "unknown person" to refer to someone whose identity is not known or specified. For example: "The police are searching for an "unknown person" who vandalized the building."

What are some alternatives to "unknown person"?

Alternatives include "unidentified individual", "unnamed person", or "anonymous individual", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "unknown person" or "person unknown"?

"Unknown person" is more common in contemporary usage, while "person unknown" is a slightly more archaic phrasing often found in legal settings. The best choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "unknown person" and "unidentified person"?

While similar, "unidentified person" often implies that an attempt to identify the person has been made, whereas ""unknown person"" simply means their identity is not known. The terms are often interchangeable, however.