Individual vs. Particular — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
"Individual" refers to a single person or entity, distinguished by their unique characteristics, while "particular" emphasizes specific traits or details of a broader category.
Difference Between Individual and Particular
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "individual" is often used to highlight the singularity and unique identity of a person or an object within a group. Whereas "particular" is used to specify details and is more about singling out one or more elements due to specific characteristics within a larger set.
An individual is inherently distinct, focusing on the uniqueness that separates it from others. On the other hand, something described as particular is not necessarily unique but is noted for specific attributes or circumstances that need to be highlighted.
When talking about an individual in a classroom, it refers to a single student with unique traits; conversely, particular interests of students might refer to common interests shared uniquely by only some students.
The uniqueness of an individual can confer a sense of identity and independence, which is crucial in contexts where personal recognition is essential. In contrast, particularities often relate to the nuances or detailed aspects that define or distinguish parts of a larger whole, crucial for clarity and precision in communication.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A single, distinct person or entity
Specific or detailed aspect of a larger category
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Usage Context
Emphasizes uniqueness and separateness
Emphasizes specificity and detail
Implication
Identity and independence
Detail-oriented and selective focus
Example Usage
Describing a person's individual talents
Discussing particular aspects of a theory
Key Distinction
Unique entity
Specific characteristic within a group
Compare with Definitions
Individual
Used to highlight personal uniqueness.
The teacher recognized the individual needs of her students.
Particular
Used to emphasize detailed traits.
The engineer noted the particular specifications of the machine.
Individual
Reflecting personal independence.
He valued his individual freedom above everything.
Particular
Refers to a specific aspect of a larger category.
She had particular reasons for choosing that college.
Individual
An item considered separately from its group.
The gallery displayed paintings from one individual artist.
Particular
Involves being selective or exact.
She was very particular about her coffee.
Individual
Emphasizing distinct identity.
The law applies to every individual equally.
Particular
Focusing on distinct features.
He was interested in the particular habits of migratory birds.
Individual
A single person or entity distinct from others.
Each individual has unique fingerprints.
Particular
Emphasizes precision and attention to details.
The scientist paid close attention to the particular variables in the experiment.
Individual
An individual is that which exists as a distinct entity. Individuality (or self-hood) is the state or quality of being an individual; particularly (in the case of humans) of being a person unique from other people and possessing one's own needs or goals, rights and responsibilities.
Particular
In metaphysics, particulars or individuals are usually contrasted with universals. Universals concern features that can be exemplified by various different particulars.
Individual
Single; separate
Individual tiny flowers
Particular
Used to single out an individual member of a specified group or class
The action seems to discriminate against a particular group of companies
Individual
Of or for a particular person
The individual needs of the children
Particular
Especially great or intense
When handling or checking cash the cashier should exercise particular care
Individual
A single human being as distinct from a group
Boat trips for parties and individuals
Particular
Insisting that something should be correct or suitable in every detail; fastidious
She is very particular about cleanliness
Individual
Of or relating to an individual, especially a single human
Individual consciousness.
Particular
A detail
He is wrong in every particular
Individual
By or for one person
Individual work.
An individual portion.
Particular
An individual item, as contrasted with a universal quality
Universals can be simultaneously exemplified by different particulars in different places
Individual
Existing as a distinct entity; separate
Individual drops of rain.
Particular
Of, belonging to, or associated with a specific person, group, thing, or category; not general or universal
She did not have a particular café in mind for their get-together.
Individual
Marked by or expressing individuality; distinctive or individualistic
An individual way of dressing.
Particular
Distinctive among others of the same group, category, or nature; noteworthy or exceptional
An area known for its particular style of architecture.
Individual
Special; particular
Each variety of melon has its individual flavor and texture.
Particular
Of, relating to, or providing details; precise
Gave a particular description of the incident.
Individual
Serving to identify or set apart
"There was nothing individual about him except a deep scar ... across his right cheek" (Rebecca West).
Particular
Attentive to or concerned with details or niceties, often excessively so; fussy.
Individual
A single human considered apart from a society or community
The rights of the individual.
Particular
(Logic) Encompassing some but not all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.
Individual
A human regarded as a distinctive or unique personality
Always treated her clients as individuals.
Felt he was quite an individual.
Particular
An individual item, fact, or detail
The two schools are similar in every particular. The police refused to divulge the particulars of the case.
Individual
A single organism as distinguished from a species, community, or group.
Particular
(Logic) A particular proposition.
Individual
A member of a collection or set; a specimen.
Particular
(obsolete) Pertaining only to a part of something; partial.
Individual
A person considered alone, rather than as belonging to a group of people.
He is an unusual individual.
Particular
Specific; discrete; concrete.
I couldn't find the particular model you asked for, but I hope this one will do.
We knew it was named after John Smith, but nobody knows which particular John Smith.
Individual
(legal) A single physical human being as a legal subject, as opposed to a legal person such as a corporation.
Particular
Specialised; characteristic of a specific person or thing.
I don't appreciate your particular brand of cynicism.
Individual
An object, be it a thing or an agent, as contrasted to a class.
Particular
(obsolete) Known only to an individual person or group; confidential.
Individual
(statistics) An element belonging to a population.
Particular
Distinguished in some way; special (often in negative constructions).
My five favorite places are, in no particular order, New York, Chicago, Paris, San Francisco and London.
I didn't have any particular interest in the book.
He brought no particular news.
She was the particular belle of the party.
Individual
Relating to a single person or thing as opposed to more than one.
As we can't print them all together, the individual pages will have to be printed one by one.
Particular
(comparable) Of a person, concerned with, or attentive to, details; fastidious.
He is very particular about his food and if it isn't cooked to perfection he will send it back.
These women are more particular about their appearance.
Individual
Intended for a single person as opposed to more than one person.
Individual personal pension; individual cream cakes
Particular
Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise.
A full and particular account of an accident
Individual
Not divisible without losing its identity.
Particular
(law) Containing a part only; limited.
A particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder
Individual
Not divided, or not to be divided; existing as one entity, or distinct being or object; single; one; as, an individual man, animal, or city.
Mind has a being of its own, distinct from that of all other things, and is pure, unmingled, individual substance.
United as one individual soul.
Particular
(legal) Holding a particular estate.
Individual
Of or pertaining to one only; peculiar to, or characteristic of, a single person or thing; distinctive; as, individual traits of character; individual exertions; individual peculiarities.
Particular
(logic) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject.
A particular proposition, opposed to "universal", e.g. (particular affirmative) "Some men are wise"; (particular negative) "Some men are not wise".
Individual
A single person, animal, or thing of any kind; a thing or being incapable of separation or division, without losing its identity; especially, a human being; a person.
An object which is in the strict and primary sense one, and can not be logically divided, is called an individual.
That individuals die, his will ordains.
Particular
A small individual part of something larger; a detail, a point.
Individual
An independent, or partially independent, zooid of a compound animal.
Particular
(obsolete) A person's own individual case.
Individual
A human being;
There was too much for one person to do
Particular
A particular case; an individual thing as opposed to a whole class. (Opposed to generals, universals.)
Individual
A single organism
Particular
Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class; separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the particular stars of a constellation.
[Make] each particular hair to stand an end,Like quills upon the fretful porpentine.
Seken in every halk and every herneParticular sciences for to lerne.
Individual
Being or characteristic of a single thing or person;
Individual drops of rain
Please mark the individual pages
They went their individual ways
Particular
Of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing; belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence, personal; peculiar; singular.
Wheresoever one plant draweth such a particular juice out of the earth.
Individual
Separate and distinct from others of the same kind;
Mark the individual pages
On a case-by-case basis
Particular
Separate or distinct by reason of superiority; distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special; as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular belle of the party.
Individual
Characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing;
An individual serving
Separate rooms
Single occupancy
A single bed
Particular
Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress.
Individual
Concerning one person exclusively;
We all have individual cars
Each room has a private bath
Particular
Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder.
Particular
Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; - opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise.
Particular
A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story.
Particulars which it is not lawful for me to reveal.
It is the greatest interest of particulars to advance the good of the community.
Particular
Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character; individuality; interest, etc.
For his particular I'll receive him gladly.
If the particulars of each person be considered.
Temporal blessings, whether such as concern the public . . . or such as concern our particular.
Particular
One of the details or items of grounds of claim; - usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.
The reader has a particular of the books wherein this law was written.
Particular
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
Particular
A small part that can be considered separately from the whole;
It was perfect in all details
Particular
Unique or specific to a person or thing or category;
The particular demands of the job
Has a paraticular preference for Chinese art
A peculiar bond of sympathy between them
An expression peculiar to Canadians
Rights peculiar to the rich
The special features of a computer
My own special chair
Particular
Separate and distinct from others;
An exception in this particular case
Particular
Separate and distinct from others of the same group or category;
Interested in one particular artist
A man who wishes to make a particular woman fall in love with him
Particular
Surpassing what is common or usual or expected;
He paid especial attention to her
Exceptional kindness
A matter of particular and unusual importance
A special occasion
A special reason to confide in her
What's so special about the year 2000?
Particular
First and most important;
His special interest is music
She gets special (or particular) satisfaction from her volunteer work
Particular
Exacting especially about details;
A finicky eater
Fussy about clothes
Very particular about how her food was prepared
Particular
Providing specific details or circumstances;
A particular description of the room
Common Curiosities
What might be a reason to focus on individual qualities?
Focusing on individual qualities can be important for personalizing interactions or tailoring approaches in education, healthcare, and management.
Why is it important to be precise with the use of 'particular'?
Precision in using 'particular' helps clarify exactly which parts or aspects are being discussed, important in legal, academic, and technical contexts.
Can 'individual' and 'particular' be used interchangeably?
No, 'individual' refers to a single entity, while 'particular' refers to specific attributes within a larger set.
Can a group be described as having particular characteristics?
Yes, a group can be described as having particular characteristics that define or distinguish it from other groups.
What does it mean when someone is described as an individual?
It means they are being recognized as a unique person, distinct from others in a group.
How does the use of 'particular' change the emphasis in a sentence?
It shifts the focus to specific details or traits within a broader context, emphasizing specificity.
What role does recognizing individual needs play in education?
Recognizing individual needs is crucial in education for tailoring learning approaches to enhance student engagement and success.
How does an individual's identity relate to their societal role?
An individual's unique identity can influence their societal roles and how they are perceived or interact within their community.
Is the concept of an individual more relevant to psychology or sociology?
The concept of an individual is relevant to both, as psychology studies individual behavior and mental processes, while sociology considers how individuals interact within societal structures.
What are some examples of particular interests that might be relevant in a professional setting?
In a professional setting, particular interests can include specialized skills, project preferences, or focus areas that align with career goals.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
