folks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "folks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of people informally, especially in an endearing way. For example, "Thanks for coming out tonight folks! We hope you all have a great time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ultra-cis folks at Fox & Friends were all like, "Whaaaat?

Vice

The opening attraction is the folk-rockers Dane Zanes & Friends.

The New York Times

But last week Thrill Jockey released Sidi Touré & Friends' "Sahel Folk," a lilting collection of songs played on acoustic guitars and related African instruments like the kurbu and kuntigui.

The New York Times - Arts

When you're in your own neighborhood of like-minded folks and Twitter friends and perhaps offline friends, you're among family.

Vice

"He faded down the record, laughed, and said, 'Well, that's the blues, folks.' " Friends said Mr. Henderson, raised by sharecropper parents in small Mississippi towns like Alligator and Hushpuckena, explained the blues so well because he had lived its rural roots.

The New York Times

Compared with lots of folks, my friends and I are doing just fine.

The New York Times - Style

Equally anonymous folks — the Friends of Mills Mansion — have been working for years to restore the building, which was given to the state in 1939 but went through a long period of neglect.

The New York Times - Travel

Want to give your folks, grandparents, friends a special music memory disc this year they'll play and enjoy?

TechCrunch

Live Rounds - I also heard both from the Macy's folks and friends on my report last week that their CFO said he was scratching his head over their drop in sales.

Forbes

A second theme from old folks was friends and family.

Huffington Post

Now the working folks have friends, And the battle never ends, So they built a throng fifty-thousand strong And they promised that they'd upend the trends.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "folks" in informal settings to create a friendly and approachable tone. It's particularly effective when addressing an audience you want to connect with personally.

Common error

Avoid using "folks" in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more neutral terms like "people", "individuals" or "community" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "folks" functions as a noun, typically used in the plural form to refer to a group of people. It adds an informal and often friendly tone, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "folks" is a grammatically correct and very common noun used to refer to a group of people in an informal and friendly manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for casual conversations and informal settings. While frequently used in News & Media, its usage is less common in formal academic or business contexts. When writing, consider the register and audience to determine if "folks" is appropriate, or if more neutral terms like "people" or "individuals" would be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people

A general term for individuals, more neutral in tone.

individuals

A more formal term for people, emphasizing individuality.

persons

A legalistic and formal term for people.

community

Focuses on a group with shared interests or location.

population

Refers to all the inhabitants of a particular place.

citizens

Members of a political community with associated rights and duties.

residents

People who live in a particular place.

inhabitants

Those who inhabit a particular place.

members

Individuals belonging to a specific group or organization.

public

The general body of people in a community.

FAQs

How can I use "folks" in a sentence?

You can use "folks" to refer to a group of people in an informal or friendly way. For example, "Good evening, folks!" or "The folks in our neighborhood are very friendly."

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

"Folks" is more informal and often implies a sense of community or familiarity. "People" is a more general and neutral term for a group of individuals. You can use alternatives like "individuals" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "folks"?

It is appropriate to use "folks" in casual conversations, informal speeches, or when addressing an audience you want to connect with on a personal level. Avoid using it in formal writing or professional settings.

What are some alternatives to "folks"?

Alternatives to "folks" include "people", "individuals", "community", or "residents", depending on the specific context. Consider "citizens" or "members" for specific groups.