eight people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eight people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific number of individuals in a context, such as counting or describing a group. Example: "The event was attended by eight people, all of whom were eager to participate in the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Maximum: eight people.

The New York Times

Eight people survived.

The New York Times

Eight people have died.

The New York Times

Eight people were injured.

The New York Times

At least eight people died.

The Economist

Seven people were reported killed.

The New York Times

Eight people were convicted.

The New York Times

Eight people from this house -- Capt.

The New York Times

Eight people were shot inside the salon.

The New York Times

There were demonstrations there, eight people dead.

The New York Times

It seats as many as eight people.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific number of people, use "eight people" for clarity and precision. It avoids ambiguity, especially in formal or technical writing.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "eight people" with "eighth of the people". The former refers to a group of eight individuals, while the latter represents a proportion. For example, "eight people attended the meeting" is different from "an eighth of the people are affected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eight people" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, denoting a specific quantity of individuals. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable structure in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eight people" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a group of eight individuals. Ludwig confirms its versatility and correctness across diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. Remember to use it when you need to specify a group of eight, and be mindful of not confusing it with similar-sounding phrases like "eighth of the people". While "eight persons" is technically correct, "eight people" is generally preferred due to its wider acceptance in modern English. As Ludwig shows, its usage is widespread, making it a reliable choice for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of eight individuals

Replaces "people" with the more formal "individuals" and explicitly uses "group of".

eight-person team

Specifies that the group is a team, implying a collaborative effort.

eight members

Emphasizes membership within a larger organization or collective.

octet of individuals

Uses "octet", a less common term for a group of eight, and "individuals" for formality.

eight participants

Suggests involvement in a specific event or activity.

eight souls

Adds a more emotional or spiritual tone to the group.

eight figures

Can be used when the people are part of a statistic or calculation.

eight person party

Indicates a social gathering or celebration.

a handful of people

Implies the group is small and easily managed, even if it's specifically eight.

some people

Reduces the precision, indicating an unspecified number of individuals, including eight.

FAQs

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

Use "eight people" to refer to a group consisting of exactly eight individuals. For example, "Eight people were invited to the dinner party", or "The committee consists of "eight people"".

What are some alternatives to saying "eight people"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "group of eight", "eight individuals", or if they are working together, "eight-person team".

Is it correct to say "eight persons" instead of "eight people"?

While "persons" is technically correct, "people" is much more common and natural in everyday English. "Persons" is typically reserved for formal or legal contexts. Therefore, ""eight people"" is generally preferred.

What is the difference between "eight people" and "eighth of the people"?

"Eight people" refers to a specific group of eight individuals. "Eighth of the people" refers to a fraction (1/8) of a larger group. For example, "Eight people attended the event" versus "an eighth of the people were late".