vulnerable individual

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vulnerable individual" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who is at risk or in a position of disadvantage, often in contexts related to health, safety, or social issues. Example: "The organization provides support services for vulnerable individuals in the community to help them access necessary resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Exposure to amphetamines should be viewed as a stressor in the acute phase for the vulnerable individual in a dynamic way; for individuals with lower vulnerability higher doses of amphetamines are needed, whereas individuals with higher vulnerability require lower doses to precipitate acute psychosis.

BMC Psychiatry

Shinji Kagawa comes to mind as an especially coveted, yet vulnerable, individual.

The New York Times - Sports

Her focus remained always on the societal forces bearing down on the vulnerable individual.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The case of Gary McKinnon is a clear instance of a vulnerable individual being targeted by an overwhelmingly powerful force.

The Guardian - Opinion

It only takes one comment in an unknown neighbourhood for a vulnerable individual to assume the worst.

Independent

She preferred people to accept her constructed public persona, and this was a carapace she used to protect the desperately vulnerable individual underneath.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Vulnerability mapping can help planners, emergency managers, and first responders locate vulnerable individuals.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Few people regard MPs as vulnerable individuals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Vulnerable individuals … will be denied access to justice.

The Guardian

She looks after the EVIs – extremely vulnerable individuals – spending most of her time translating.

The Guardian

"The clearance of legacy asylum casework often deals with sensitive and vulnerable individuals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "vulnerable individuals", be specific about the nature of their vulnerability. For instance, instead of simply stating that someone is a "vulnerable individual", clarify whether they are vulnerable due to age, health, socioeconomic status, or other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "vulnerable individual" as a blanket term without providing context. Failing to specify the source or nature of the vulnerability can lead to misunderstandings and potentially perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vulnerable individual" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It identifies a person characterized by their susceptibility to harm, exploitation, or negative outcomes. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a common and grammatically sound construction used to denote individuals in precarious circumstances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vulnerable individual" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a person who is at risk or in a disadvantaged position. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. The phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal documents. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the nature of the vulnerability for clarity and to avoid overgeneralization. While alternatives like "at-risk person" or "disadvantaged person" exist, the specific choice should reflect the context of the vulnerability being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at-risk person

Focuses on the individual being in a situation of danger or potential harm.

disadvantaged person

Highlights the individual's lack of opportunities or resources compared to others.

person in need

Emphasizes the individual's requirement for assistance or support.

helpless person

Stresses the individual's inability to protect themselves or manage their situation.

susceptible individual

Highlights the individual's increased likelihood of being affected by something negative.

exposed individual

Emphasizes the lack of protection from potential harm or danger.

weakened individual

Focuses on a diminished state of physical, emotional, or mental strength.

defenseless person

Highlights the lack of ability to resist or fight back against threats.

fragile individual

Stresses the delicate nature and susceptibility to harm, either physically or emotionally.

compromised individual

Suggests the individual's position or integrity has been weakened or put at risk.

FAQs

How can I use "vulnerable individual" in a sentence?

You can use "vulnerable individual" to describe someone at risk due to factors like age, health, or socioeconomic status. For example: "The program aims to protect "vulnerable individuals" from exploitation."

What are some alternatives to "vulnerable individual"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "at-risk person", "disadvantaged person", or "person in need". Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific situation.

Is it more appropriate to say "vulnerable individual" or "vulnerable person"?

"Vulnerable individual" and "vulnerable person" are often used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context, but both are generally acceptable.

What distinguishes "vulnerable individual" from "sensitive individual"?

While both terms describe someone who is easily affected, "vulnerable individual" implies a higher degree of risk or potential harm, whereas "sensitive individual" typically refers to someone who is easily emotionally affected.