At people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At people" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a location or action involving people, but it lacks context to be usable. Example: "The event will take place at people’s homes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

at people.

The New Yorker

He screams at people.

The New Yorker

"I just pointed at people.

The New York Times

"Then he yells at people.

The New York Times

Dodd-Frank is not directed at people.

The Economist

I look at people with disabilities personally.

The New York Times

Do you shake it at people?

The New York Times

I love looking at people in profile.

The New Yorker

I love to look at people.

The New Yorker

They are now looking at people.

The Economist

"Who shot at people in Dara'a?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions directed towards individuals, use prepositions like "to", "towards", or "with" for clearer communication. For instance, say "speak to people" instead of "speak at people."

Common error

Don't use the phrase 'at people' without a verb that clarifies the action, as it can be vague and grammatically awkward. Instead of saying 'He looked at people', clarify the action like 'He stared at people' or 'He smiled at people'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at people" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, typically requiring a verb to form a complete thought. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase itself is not grammatically correct and needs context to be usable. The phrase usually indicates direction or target.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at people" appears frequently, Ludwig AI marks it as not grammatically correct, suggesting it requires a verb to convey a complete meaning. Its usage is common in News & Media and Wiki contexts, generally indicating an action directed towards individuals. For clarity and grammatical accuracy, consider alternatives like "towards people" or rephrasing to include a clear verb, like "looking at people". Always ensure that the context makes the intended action and its direction clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Towards people

Replaces "at" with "towards" to indicate directionality in a more standard grammatical structure.

Directed at people

Adds a verb to clarify that something is being aimed or intended for people.

With people

Uses "with" to indicate being in the company of or interacting alongside people.

Among people

Emphasizes being within a group or community of people.

In relation to people

Specifies a connection or comparison involving people.

Concerning people

Highlights that the topic or subject matter is about people.

Regarding people

Similar to "concerning", but with a slightly more formal tone.

Involving people

Indicates that people are participants or affected by something.

Impacting people

Focuses on the effect or influence on people.

For people

Specifies that something is intended or designed to benefit people.

FAQs

How can I use the preposition "at" correctly when referring to people?

Use "at" with verbs that indicate an action directed towards someone, such as "smile "at"", "look "at"", or "shout "at"". Ensure the context makes the direction of the action clear.

Is "at people" grammatically correct?

The phrase "at people" is generally considered grammatically incorrect on its own. It needs a verb to express a complete thought, such as "looking at people" or "aimed at people".

What's the difference between "to people" and "at people"?

"To people" often indicates direction or giving, like "giving advice to people". "At people", while less standard, implies an action directed towards them, such as "yelling at people".

What are some alternatives to using "at people" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use "towards people", "with people", or rephrase the sentence to use "to people" to achieve better grammatical clarity.