When do you use party, individual or person?

By Ranjana S.

A party means "a group of persons."

§  The Coast Guard sent out a search party.

§  We reserved a table for a party of five.

Party means "one person" only in the legal sense of "a person involved in a transaction" (the party of the first part). Don't use party to mean "one person," "a stranger," "a human being,"or to avoid naming a specific person in referring to him.

Individual means "one person distinguished from a group."

§  This job doesn't need a committee; it needs one hard-working individual.

Don't use individual to mean "a human being."

Person, however, does mean "a human being" A person who likes literature will like this book.

§  Then this strange party asked me for a match. Incorrect.

§  Then the stranger asked me for a match. Correct.

§  Who is the party who opened the door for us? Incorrect.

§  Who is the person who opened the door for us? Correct.

§  A certain party asked me for a date last night. Incorrect.

§  A certain person asked me for a date last night. Correct.

§  Any individual who likes cricket should watch today's match.Incorrect.

§  Anybody who likes football should watch today's match.Correct.

Some illustrations:-

§  Another party has reserved this row of seats.

§  The party of the first part must sign the contract.

§  One individual can change the history of a nation.

§  I don't like him as a teacher, but he's a nice person.

§  There wasn't another person in the entire park.