a people

USAGE SUMMARY

'a people' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people who share a common history, culture, or language. For example, "The Cherokee are a people of Native American origin."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: People say African countries are poor.

Science Magazine

A: People know there's armed conflict.

Unicef

It's a people issue.

The New York Times

A People want "done".

The New York Times

He's a people person.

The New York Times

I'm a people person.

The New York Times

"I'm a people lover.

The New Yorker

I'm a people Pope.

The New Yorker

We're a people business.

The New York Times

A people without a border.

The New Yorker

"Peter is a people investor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a people" when referring to a group unified by shared culture, history, or origin. Ensure the context clarifies which specific group you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "a people" when referring to broad, undefined groups. Be specific about the shared characteristics that define the group you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a people" functions as a noun phrase, specifically identifying a collective group distinguished by shared cultural, historical, or ethnic characteristics. It's used to denote a specific community rather than the general population.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a people" is grammatically sound and functions as a noun phrase to refer to a group sharing common traits like culture or history. While grammatically correct, Ludwig indicates that the expression is currently rare. When using "a people", ensure the context clarifies the specific group being referenced to avoid ambiguity. It's most appropriate in neutral to formal contexts where the shared identity of the group is central to the discussion. Alternative phrases such as "a nation" or "a community" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nation

Focuses on a group of people united by a common government or territory.

a community

Emphasizes shared interests or location among a group of people.

a population

Refers to the entire number of persons inhabiting a country, city, or area.

a society

Highlights the system of social organization within a group.

a tribe

Implies a group sharing a common ancestry, culture, and often territory.

a group of individuals

A more general term for a collection of persons.

a body of people

Similar to "a group of individuals", but may imply a more formal or organized structure.

an ethnicity

Focuses on shared cultural heritage, language, and traditions.

a race

Refers to a group of people sharing similar physical characteristics.

a generation

Highlights a group of people born and living around the same time.

FAQs

How can I use "a people" in a sentence?

You can use "a people" to refer to a group of people sharing a common culture, history or language. For example, "The Navajo are "a people" with a rich tradition of weaving".

What is the difference between "a people" and "the people"?

"A people" refers to a specific group with shared characteristics. "The people" typically refers to the general population within a specific region or nation.

Is it correct to say "a peoples"?

Yes, "a peoples" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple distinct groups: "The conference brought together representatives from diverse "a peoples" around the world".

What are some synonyms for "a people"?

Alternatives include "a nation", "a community", or "a society", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.