good people

USAGE SUMMARY

"good people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to people who are kind, trustworthy, or generous. For example, "The world needs more good people to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Good people.

The Economist

It's the good people.

Independent

They're very good people.

Independent

"They were good people.

The New York Times

"Good people who died".

The New Yorker

"All the good people".

The New Yorker

They are good people.

The New Yorker

"You're good people".

Independent

Hiring very good people.

The New York Times

"Steve hires good people.

The New Yorker

Good people make mistakes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a community, use "good people" to emphasize the positive qualities and moral character of its members.

Common error

While "good people" is widely applicable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "ethical individuals" or "virtuous citizens" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good people" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "good" modifies the noun "people". It serves to describe a group or collection of individuals who possess positive moral or ethical qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "good people" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe individuals with positive moral qualities. According to Ludwig, its versatility is evident across numerous contexts, from news articles to academic discussions. While the register is generally neutral, more formal settings may benefit from precise alternatives like "ethical individuals". Remember to use this phrase to emphasize positive attributes and moral character in various written and spoken communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decent individuals

Replaces "good" with "decent" and "people" with "individuals", maintaining a similar level of formality and positive connotation.

virtuous citizens

Emphasizes moral excellence and civic responsibility, suggesting a slightly more formal and idealized view.

honest folks

Highlights the characteristic of honesty, offering a more informal and folksy feel.

kind-hearted souls

Focuses on compassion and empathy, using a more poetic and emotional expression.

upstanding members of society

Stresses adherence to social norms and ethical behavior, suitable for formal contexts.

honorable men and women

Highlights integrity and respectability, adding a gender-specific element.

ethical persons

Emphasizes moral principles and professional conduct, suitable for discussions on ethics.

benevolent human beings

Focuses on acts of kindness and charity, presenting a broad and philosophical perspective.

righteous individuals

Highlights moral correctness and justice, conveying a strong sense of ethical conviction.

worthy people

Emphasizes value and deservingness, highlighting the positive qualities of the individuals in question.

FAQs

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

You can use "good people" to describe individuals who are kind, honest, and have positive qualities. For example, "The organization is run by "decent people" who genuinely care about their community."

What are some alternatives to "good people"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "honest folks", "decent individuals", or "virtuous citizens" as alternatives to "good people".

Is it appropriate to use "good people" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, using more specific terms like "ethical individuals" or "upstanding members of society" might be more suitable for formal contexts, depending on the intended tone and audience.

What's the difference between "good people" and "nice people"?

"Good people" implies a deeper sense of moral character and integrity, whereas "nice people" primarily refers to pleasantness and amiability. "Good people" suggests ethical behavior, while "nice people" suggests agreeable behavior.