people, persons

people, persons
People and persons both refer to a number of individuals and are used interchangeably in most contexts. Neither can be used to refer to an individual: "one people" and "one persons" are absurd expressions. No safe rule exists for choosing between people and persons except possibly this: use people for large groups or an undetermined number of individuals and persons for a relatively small or exact number: "Thousands of people attended the fair. Fifty persons won prizes." See also individual.

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • people — people, persons Both words have been in use for several centuries to denote the plural of person, the difference usually being explained in terms of people referring to a group of which the exact number cannot be determined or is irrelevant and… …   Modern English usage

  • persons — people, persons Both words have been in use for several centuries to denote the plural of person, the difference usually being explained in terms of people referring to a group of which the exact number cannot be determined or is irrelevant and… …   Modern English usage

  • persons — See people. See people, persons …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • people person — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms people person : singular people person plural people persons informal someone who enjoys being with other people and easily becomes friends with them …   English dictionary

  • people — See people, persons …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • people — [pē′pəl] n. pl. peoples [ME peple < Anglo Fr poeple, people < OFr pople < L populus, nation, crowd < ?] 1. a) all the persons of a racial, national, religious, or linguistic group; nation, race, etc. [the peoples of the world] b) a… …   English World dictionary

  • People's Artist of the USSR — medal People s Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union. Contents …   Wikipedia

  • People's Alliance for Democracy — Type Pressure group Political group Key people Sondhi Limthongkul Chamlong Srimuang Phiphob Thongchai Somsak Kosaisuuk Somkeit Pongpaibul Area served …   Wikipedia

  • People's Socialist Republic of Albania — Republika Popullore Socialiste e Shqipërisë Satellite state of the Soviet Union (Until 1961) …   Wikipedia

  • People — Peo ple, n. [OE. peple, people, OF. pueple, F. peuple, fr. L. populus. Cf. {Populage}, {Public}, {Pueblo}.] 1. The body of persons who compose a community, tribe, nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a whole; a community; a nation …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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