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people vs persons

Both 'people' and 'persons' are correct plural forms of 'person', but 'people' is more commonly used in everyday language. 'Persons' is more formal and is often used in legal or official contexts.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1207 views

people

This is the correct and commonly used plural form of 'person'.

Use 'people' when referring to a group of individuals. It is the more common and informal plural form of 'person'.

Examples:

These people are my friends.
Many people attended the event.
The people have spoken.
Young people are the future.
People are generally good.

Show examples from the web [+]

Ryan answers to powerful people, people that would be vulnerable to questionable publicity.
The people who protect democracy from itself.
When you tell your people to stop being violent against my people...
Your people mean nothing to me.
Our people need the great reality.
The American people are good people.
The majority of people here are good people.
Fact remains, that these people are not our people...
But I know some people that know some people that robbed some people.
They closed it after people caught salmonella.
It separates people and robots from animals...
It'sjust people touch my skin, something happens.
There's great places to meet people.
Knowing when people have done something wrong.
Makes people who need people the luckiest people in the world.
You know, people hate people who have theories about people.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people.
Machines know what people watch, what people read, what people buy, even what people feel.
There are people inside people... Inside people... Inside people.
Helping people is great, but there are times get people killed.

Alternatives:

individuals
folks
humans
citizens
population

persons

This is a correct plural form of 'person', but it is less commonly used in everyday language.

Use 'persons' in more formal or legal contexts, such as official documents or announcements. It is less common in everyday conversation.

Examples:

All persons must register for the event.
Persons of interest should contact the authorities.
Two persons were seen entering the building.
Persons with disabilities have rights.
The committee consists of five persons.

Show examples from the web [+]

Any resemblance to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.
Professional associations (no incorporation) among natural persons permitted.
Immunosuppressed persons STAMARIL must not be administered to immunosuppressed persons (see section 4.3).
Only natural persons can be organisers.
· No introduction of criminal liability for legal persons.
Also data relating to convicted persons deserve specific attention.
Capitalism is no respecter of persons.
Such persons might include intermediaries, where applicable.
Coercive measures should be avoided when removing vulnerable persons.
Adding natural and legal persons is meant as a clarification.
Entries concerning 2 persons have also been updated.
No unauthorised persons may enter the quarantine facility.
Means and aids for conveying persons and/or goods.
Sufficient life-rafts to carry all persons on board.
Calibration procedures shall not be made available to unauthorised persons.
The school dropout rate among disabled persons is high.
Military forces may initially secure all persons encountered.
This Regulation should not affect representation rights of legal persons.
Obligations towards disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility pursuant to this regulation shall not be limited or waived.
The UN Security Council decided on 9 June 2010 to designate one natural persons and 40 legal persons, entities or bodies pursuant to these paragraphs.

Alternatives:

individuals
people
citizens
population
residents

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