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elgiad007 commented on the word particular individual
Often used redundantly in reference to an individual.
November 9, 2008
frindley commented on the word particular individual
I like the usage of particular that often turns up in Jane Austen, where some young woman will be another's particular friend, as in best or great.
Then there are the particular Baptists: who believe some but not all are redeemed.
But is "particular individual" truly redundant? If particular is being used here in the sense of singling out one from a group (in the way that you might say "this particular car" or "this particular company" or "this particular person" as opposed to all the other cars/companies/people you could have identified) then it would seem to be a proper usage. There is a subtle distinction, which would be more evident in context, between "this particular individual" and "this individual"
November 10, 2008
elgiad007 commented on the word particular individual
I agree that it has it's uses, but doesn't the word individual single out one from a group?
November 10, 2008
elgiad007 commented on the word particular individual
For example, when referring to a single entity, I could single someone out by calling them an "individual particular" because the words "individual" and "particular" are interchangeable in this context. It would seem that two words that are close enough in definition to be swapped to produce a phrase of the same meaning are redundant.
To me, the phrase "particular individual" is useful when describing one who is fastidious or extraordinary, not just individual.
November 10, 2008