hundreds of persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hundreds of persons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large number of individuals in a formal context, such as reports or academic writing. Example: "The event attracted hundreds of persons from various backgrounds, all eager to participate in the discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Hundreds of persons were injured.

The New York Times

She, too, came from a large family, of hundreds of persons, and she began most particularly to invite her younger relations, the great-nephews and great-nieces, with their wives and husbands and, especially, their babies in tow.

The New Yorker

He also was responsible for hundreds of persons being able to view Michelangelo's work in the Sistine Chapel, assisting many to ascend the scaffolding during the cleaning of the Chapel ceiling and "Last Judgment".

The New York Times

1938 At Least 400 Killed in Air Raids BARCELONA — Hundreds of persons were believed to have been killed and an even greater number wounded when six Nationalist planes twice this morning [Jan . 30 bombed Spain's greatest city in the deadliest raid of the civil war.

The New York Times

Conclusion: The massive explosion in a narrow street with hundreds of persons in close proximity to the bomb may account for the poor healing rate.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

He will entertain hundreds of persons.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The pronouns of the 1st and 2nd persons still had distinctive dual forms: There were two demonstratives: sē, sēo, thaet, meaning "that," and thes, thēos, this, meaning "this," but no articles, the definite article being expressed by use of the demonstrative for "that" or not expressed at all.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We used deaths from any natural cause except for accidental causes (ICD-code 10th revision: V01-Y98, ICD-code 9th revision: 1-799), of persons who resided within the city where they died.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

This 3rd type of person believes that we are all ONE.

Huffington Post

State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) told The Huffington Post her state ranks 48th in teen birth rates, 50th in prenatal care and 46th in income disparity -- and 50th in the number of persons who receive a high school diploma by age 25.

Huffington Post

He was vigorous in his enforcement of the 14th and 15th amendments and prosecuted thousands of persons who violated African American civil rights; he used military force to put down political insurrections in Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hundreds of persons" in formal writing or reports where a precise but not exact number of people is needed and a slightly elevated tone is appropriate. It can add a sense of gravity or seriousness to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "hundreds of persons" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "many people" or "a lot of people" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hundreds of persons" functions as a quantifier, specifically an indefinite quantifier, modifying a noun. It indicates an approximate quantity of people, greater than two but not precisely defined. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hundreds of persons" is a grammatically sound way to refer to a large group of people, offering a formal tone suitable for specific contexts. Ludwig confirms its correctness and illustrates its presence in news, science, and formal business domains. While versatile, opting for alternatives like "many people" or "numerous individuals" may be more appropriate depending on the intended audience and the desired level of formality. However, it's worth noting that "hundreds of persons" may come across as stilted and unnatural in casual contexts. Therefore, always consider audience and content before choosing the right phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several hundred people

This option is more specific by quantifying the number of people involved.

a few hundred people

This option is almost the same but expresses a smaller quantity.

a large number of people

This alternative offers a more general and less formal way to express a similar idea.

numerous individuals

This option maintains a formal tone but uses a different adjective and noun.

a considerable number of people

This alternative emphasizes that the quantity is significant or noteworthy.

many people

This phrase is a simpler and more common way to express the same idea, lacking the precision of "hundreds".

a multitude of people

This alternative suggests a very large and possibly uncountable number of people, adding a sense of scale.

scores of people

Replaces "hundreds" with a different quantifier conveying a large but less precise number.

a crowd of people

This option implies a gathering or assembly of people, rather than just a quantity.

masses of people

Suggests a very large, unorganized group of people, often with a sense of overwhelming size.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "hundreds of persons"?

Use "hundreds of persons" in formal contexts, such as reports, academic papers, or legal documents, where a precise but inexact number of people is needed and a more serious tone is desired.

What are some alternatives to "hundreds of persons"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "many people", "numerous individuals", or "a large number of people".

Is "hundreds of persons" more formal than "hundreds of people"?

Yes, "hundreds of persons" is generally considered more formal and somewhat archaic compared to the more common and neutral phrase "hundreds of people".

Can I use "hundreds of persons" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, using "hundreds of persons" in everyday conversation might sound overly formal or stilted. It's usually better to opt for a more casual phrase like "many people" or "a lot of people".