what person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what person" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when inquiring about the identity or role of an individual in a specific context. Example: "Can you clarify what person you are referring to in your statement?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

What person of sensitivity is not ashamed?

The New Yorker

Gatsby enthusiasts – and what person with a brain isn't one?

The Guardian - Books

What person could say they have never hated?

The Guardian - Opinion

What person were you most excited to meet after the Super Bowl victory?

The New York Times

What person wouldn't rebel in the face of declarations of his nonexistence?

The New Yorker

UDOVITCH -- What person listening to radio in the late 70's could forget it?

The New York Times - Arts

What person who had a choice would drink the way the mother in the story drinks?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

That's what person-centered care is all about.

The New York Times

We described specific elements that can reflect what person-centeredness means for patients in the integrated care context.

BMC Health Services Research

The elements describe here are conceptually similar to other meanings of what person-centeredness constitutes [ 2- 9].

BMC Health Services Research

It is, however, demanding in its expectation that health services and staff will find individually appropriate ways of recognizing and cultivating what person-al capabilities these people do and can have (including to experience membership of a social group in which all have ethical privileges).

American Journal of Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what person" when seeking to understand the role or identity of someone within a specific scenario or context. For example, "What person is responsible for this decision?"

Common error

Avoid using "who" when you need to identify a specific role or characteristic rather than just the identity of an individual. "What person" emphasizes the person's function or type, while "who" simply asks for a name.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what person" functions as an interrogative phrase, prompting identification or description of an individual based on their role, qualities, or characteristics. As shown in the examples from Ludwig, it seeks to clarify who fulfills a specific function or possesses certain attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

11%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what person" serves as an interrogative tool to identify or describe an individual based on specific qualities or roles. Ludwig's analysis reveals its widespread use, especially in news and media, indicating its acceptance in various contexts. While grammatically sound and deemed correct by Ludwig AI, slight adjustments like using "which individual" might be preferred for more formal scenarios. Be mindful of the context, ensuring that "what person" correctly conveys your intended meaning, especially when differentiating between identification and characterization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which person

A simple variation using "which" instead of "what" for specification.

what individual

Similar to "which individual", but retains the original "what".

which individual

Replaces "person" with a more formal synonym, "individual".

what human being

Emphasizes the human aspect, making it slightly more emphatic.

whoever

Implies any person who might fit a certain description or action.

who specifically

Focuses on identifying a particular person from a group.

what kind of person

Shifts the focus to the type or nature of the person.

what sort of person

Similar to "what kind of person", indicating characteristics.

which member

Useful when referring to a person within a specific group or organization.

what party

Replaces 'person' with 'party', typically used in legal or formal settings.

FAQs

How do I use "what person" in a sentence?

Use "what person" to inquire about a specific individual's role, characteristics, or type within a given context. For example, "What person is in charge of this project?" or "What person would benefit most from this program?"

When is it appropriate to use "what person" instead of "who"?

"What person" is appropriate when you're not just asking for a name but also inquiring about the role, type, or characteristics of the individual. Use "who" for direct identification. See also: "which individual".

What can I say instead of "what person"?

Alternatives include "which individual", "what individual", or "what kind of person", depending on the context. The best alternative depends on whether you're emphasizing a specific role, identity, or type of person.

Is "what person" formal or informal?

"What person" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might prefer "which individual".