citizens

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "citizens" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who are members of a particular nation or state, often in discussions about rights, responsibilities, or civic engagement. Example: "The government must listen to the voices of its citizens to ensure a fair and just society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will act differently from the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly.

The Guardian

Most immigrants contribute to society, most want to become good British citizens and most strike me as more like us with every rainy day that passes.

The Guardian

Many of our citizens have been threatened and driven from their overseas homes by vicious mobs shouting "Death to America".

The New York Times

Just like British citizens, there is no absolute right to unemployment benefit".

The Guardian

I had to admit that it would actually cost the government more for a woman not to be in prostitution, but ultimately these are your citizens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Whether the action's beneficiaries in the streets below appreciated the reference to the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling was not recorded, but in a press release, activists did claim that a woman who had been trying to collect money for a bus ride was able to pay her fare with the free money.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The fact that Indonesia for a long time refused to even acknowledge that there was a double standard in their insistence that Australia was infringing their sovereignty by appealing for clemency, while at the same time appealing for clemency for its own citizens facing the death penalty in other countries, that has been really quite damaging from Australia's point of view," he said.

The Guardian

Slovakian authorities want citizens to go home, look up the receipt with the tax ID, and enter it into a national database.

The Guardian - Money

Navi Pillay credited Snowden with starting a global debate that has led to calls for the curtailment of state powers to snoop on citizens online and store their data.

The Guardian

Clarke said: "The first priority of any British government is to provide for the security of the citizens of the country, and at the moment in the criminal field all the major activity is international, whether you're talking about international people trafficking, drug dealing, whether you're talking about illegal migration or whether you're talking about counter-terrorism.

The Guardian

"This is not a situation in which we are rifling through the ordinary emails of German citizens or American citizens or French citizens or anybody else," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "citizens", be specific about the nation or community to which they belong to avoid ambiguity. For example, "British citizens" or "global citizens".

Common error

Avoid using "citizens" when referring to a group that includes non-citizens or temporary residents; use a more inclusive term like "residents" or "community members" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "citizens" is as a plural noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a collective group of individuals with legal membership in a state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "citizens" is a commonly used plural noun that refers to individuals with legal membership in a nation or state. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to use the term precisely, considering its legal and social implications. For broader references, terms like "residents" or "community members" might be more appropriate. As seen in Ludwig, the word "citizens" appears in discussions related to rights, security, and government responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nationals

Refers to individuals with legal membership in a nation, emphasizing their national identity.

People

A more general term for individuals residing in a specific location or belonging to a specific group.

Residents

Highlights the act of living in a specific locality, often implying a more settled or permanent stay.

Inhabitants

Focuses on those who reside in a particular place, stressing residency rather than legal status.

Community members

Emphasizes belonging to a local community, focusing on social connections and participation.

Populace

Refers to the general population of a place, often used in statistical or demographic contexts.

Denizens

Suggests a long-term or habitual resident, often used in a literary or formal context.

Subjects

Implies a relationship of being under the rule of a government or monarch, less common in modern democratic contexts.

Taxpayers

Highlights the financial contribution of individuals to the state, emphasizing their role in funding government activities.

Registered voters

Focuses on individuals who are eligible and have registered to participate in elections, emphasizing their political engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "citizens" in a sentence?

You can use "citizens" to refer to people with legal rights and responsibilities within a specific nation or community. For example, "The government is accountable to its citizens".

What are some alternatives to the word "citizens"?

Alternatives to "citizens" include "nationals", "residents", or "community members", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "citizens" and "residents"?

"Citizens" refers to individuals with legal nationality, while "residents" simply refers to people who live in a particular place, regardless of their nationality.

When is it more appropriate to use "people" instead of "citizens"?

Use "people" instead of "citizens" when you're referring to a general group that may include both citizens and non-citizens, or when the legal status is not relevant to the context.