What is the plural of the word person?
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Mia Anderson
Studied at Stanford University, Lives in Palo Alto, CA
As a language expert with a deep understanding of the nuances of the English language, I'm here to provide you with a comprehensive answer to your question about the plural form of the word "person."
The English language is rich with subtleties and variations, and the distinction between "people" and "persons" is one such example. Both terms can be used to denote more than one person, but they are not interchangeable in every context.
"Person" is a singular noun that refers to an individual human being. When we need to talk about more than one individual, we have two options for the plural form: "people" and "persons."
"People" is the more commonly used term and is the plural form that is widely accepted in everyday language. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts. For instance, when referring to a group or a crowd, we say "a group of people." If we are talking about the number of individuals present, we might say "there were only about ten people." When discussing a large number of individuals affected by an event or situation, we could say "several thousand people have been rehoused." The term "people" is also used when referring to the inhabitants of a place, as in "the people of New York City."
On the other hand, "persons" is a more formal and less frequently used term. It is often employed in legal or official contexts where precision and formality are required. For example, in legal documents or formal reports, you might see the phrase "two persons were arrested" instead of "two people were arrested." The use of "persons" in these cases can convey a sense of seriousness and formality that "people" might not.
It's also worth noting that the use of "persons" can sometimes carry a more technical or specific connotation. In certain fields, such as psychology or sociology, "persons" might be used to discuss individuals in a more analytical or scientific manner.
In summary, while both "people" and "persons" can be used as the plural of "person," they are not used in exactly the same way. "People" is the more common and versatile term, suitable for most everyday contexts, whereas "persons" is more formal and is often used in legal, official, or technical contexts.
Understanding the appropriate use of these terms can greatly enhance one's communication skills and ensure that the intended message is conveyed with the right level of formality and precision.
The English language is rich with subtleties and variations, and the distinction between "people" and "persons" is one such example. Both terms can be used to denote more than one person, but they are not interchangeable in every context.
"Person" is a singular noun that refers to an individual human being. When we need to talk about more than one individual, we have two options for the plural form: "people" and "persons."
"People" is the more commonly used term and is the plural form that is widely accepted in everyday language. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts. For instance, when referring to a group or a crowd, we say "a group of people." If we are talking about the number of individuals present, we might say "there were only about ten people." When discussing a large number of individuals affected by an event or situation, we could say "several thousand people have been rehoused." The term "people" is also used when referring to the inhabitants of a place, as in "the people of New York City."
On the other hand, "persons" is a more formal and less frequently used term. It is often employed in legal or official contexts where precision and formality are required. For example, in legal documents or formal reports, you might see the phrase "two persons were arrested" instead of "two people were arrested." The use of "persons" in these cases can convey a sense of seriousness and formality that "people" might not.
It's also worth noting that the use of "persons" can sometimes carry a more technical or specific connotation. In certain fields, such as psychology or sociology, "persons" might be used to discuss individuals in a more analytical or scientific manner.
In summary, while both "people" and "persons" can be used as the plural of "person," they are not used in exactly the same way. "People" is the more common and versatile term, suitable for most everyday contexts, whereas "persons" is more formal and is often used in legal, official, or technical contexts.
Understanding the appropriate use of these terms can greatly enhance one's communication skills and ensure that the intended message is conveyed with the right level of formality and precision.
2024-05-13 04:21:30
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Works at Apple, Lives in Cupertino, CA
The words people and persons can both be used as the plural of person, but they are not used in exactly the same way. People is by far the more common of the two words and is used in most ordinary contexts: "a group of people"; "there were only about ten people"; "several thousand people have been rehoused".Oct 26, 2011
2023-06-11 00:31:24
Amelia Kim
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
The words people and persons can both be used as the plural of person, but they are not used in exactly the same way. People is by far the more common of the two words and is used in most ordinary contexts: "a group of people"; "there were only about ten people"; "several thousand people have been rehoused".Oct 26, 2011
