Is it correct to say persons or people?
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Ethan Brown
Works at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
Hello! As an expert in the English language, I'm here to help clarify the distinction between the terms "persons" and "people."
When discussing the plural form of "person," there is indeed a difference between "persons" and "people." Historically, "persons" was considered the correct term for the plural of "person," and it is still grammatically correct to use it. However, language evolves over time, and usage patterns change. Today, "people" has become the more commonly accepted and widely used term for the plural of "person."
The shift in usage can be attributed to several factors. One is simplicity; "people" is shorter and easier to say than "persons." Another is the influence of other languages, where the equivalent term for "person" often has a singular and plural form that are quite similar or identical. Additionally, "people" has a more collective sense, which aligns well with the way we often refer to groups of individuals in everyday conversation.
It's also worth noting that "persons" can sometimes carry a more formal or legalistic connotation. For instance, in legal documents or formal reports, you might still encounter "persons" used as the plural form. This is because in these contexts, precision and formality are valued, and "persons" provides that.
However, in everyday speech and informal writing, "people" is the go-to term. It's versatile and can be used to refer to any number of individuals, from a small group to a large crowd. It's also less likely to be misinterpreted or misunderstood, which is an important consideration in communication.
In summary, while "persons" is grammatically correct and still has its place in formal contexts, "people" is the term that has become the standard for the plural of "person" in most everyday situations. It's a testament to the dynamic nature of language and how it adapts to the needs and preferences of its users.
Now, let's move on to the translation of the above explanation into Chinese.
When discussing the plural form of "person," there is indeed a difference between "persons" and "people." Historically, "persons" was considered the correct term for the plural of "person," and it is still grammatically correct to use it. However, language evolves over time, and usage patterns change. Today, "people" has become the more commonly accepted and widely used term for the plural of "person."
The shift in usage can be attributed to several factors. One is simplicity; "people" is shorter and easier to say than "persons." Another is the influence of other languages, where the equivalent term for "person" often has a singular and plural form that are quite similar or identical. Additionally, "people" has a more collective sense, which aligns well with the way we often refer to groups of individuals in everyday conversation.
It's also worth noting that "persons" can sometimes carry a more formal or legalistic connotation. For instance, in legal documents or formal reports, you might still encounter "persons" used as the plural form. This is because in these contexts, precision and formality are valued, and "persons" provides that.
However, in everyday speech and informal writing, "people" is the go-to term. It's versatile and can be used to refer to any number of individuals, from a small group to a large crowd. It's also less likely to be misinterpreted or misunderstood, which is an important consideration in communication.
In summary, while "persons" is grammatically correct and still has its place in formal contexts, "people" is the term that has become the standard for the plural of "person" in most everyday situations. It's a testament to the dynamic nature of language and how it adapts to the needs and preferences of its users.
Now, let's move on to the translation of the above explanation into Chinese.
2024-05-12 18:21:09
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Works at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Lives in Rome, Italy.
It is grammatically correct to use 'persons' when referring to the plural of 'person', although, as has already been stated, to the despair of purists, 'people' is now more often used as the plural of 'person'.
2023-06-11 03:48:22
Zoe Davis
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
It is grammatically correct to use 'persons' when referring to the plural of 'person', although, as has already been stated, to the despair of purists, 'people' is now more often used as the plural of 'person'.
