les people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "les people" is not correct or usable in written English.
It appears to be a mix of French and English, and it does not convey a clear meaning in standard English usage. Example: "The event was attended by les people from various backgrounds."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She was aware that her family connections had given her an entrée into the world of what the French call les people.

Independent

"I think before Les, people saw it as remote and far away," the staffer said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The most egregious case of this is the widely used French word pipolisation, which derives from peopolisation, meaning the growing influence of the culture of celebrity, or les peoples (I am not making this up).

The Economist

In Les Bosquets, people find that image hard to bear.

The New York Times

Dinner with "les beautiful people" before dancing at new V.I.P. nightclubs?

The New York Times - Travel

In Aquin, a town outside Les Cayes, people braved the mud to see what Matthew had done to their clapboard houses and tiny shops.

The Guardian

Basically, I was surrounded by the hoity-toity Les Miz people I that I used to fear and despise, and -- Les Miz virgin that I am -- I was a bit swept up in their excitement.

Huffington Post

We apply this method in estimating LE for people with diabetes (unadjusted for myocardial infarction) and in estimating LE for people with myocardial infarction (unadjusted for diabetes).

BMC Public Health

We use the MONICA/KORA dataset to explore and quantify first the socio-economic differences in LE and then the impact of diabetes and myocardial infarction on LE of people belonging to different socio-economic groups.

BMC Public Health

QUESTION FROM KAYO: What's the average age of the Le Fooding people?

The New Yorker

Whether it's the prospect of dying at sea or being shot by a drug kingpin or losing family members in a war, Nam Le's people are individuals trapped in the crosshairs of fate, forced to choose whether they will react like deer caught in the headlights, or whether they will find a way to confront or disarm the situation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "les people" in formal English writing. It's generally considered grammatically incorrect due to the mix of French and English. Opt for the English translation "the people" or a more specific term depending on the context.

Common error

A common mistake is to sprinkle foreign words or phrases without a clear purpose or consistent application. If you are not deliberately writing in a hybrid style, stick to one language to avoid confusing your audience. Choose either the English "the people" or a fully French phrase if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "les people" functions as a noun phrase intended to refer to a group of individuals. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English because it mixes French and English. Despite some occurrences, its inconsistent usage makes it unreliable in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "les people" is a blend of French and English that is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not a recommended phrase for formal use. Although it appears sporadically in news and media, its use is inconsistent and can be confusing. For clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to use the English equivalent "the people" or a more specific term. Consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate way to refer to a group of individuals. It is better to use established alternatives such as "the people", "certain people" or "these people".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the people

Direct English translation that focuses on indicating a group of people.

these people

Indicates people being referred to are nearby or have already been discussed.

certain people

Highlights that specific individuals are being referred to.

some people

Emphasizes that the reference is to a subset of a larger group.

the individuals

Formal alternative highlighting each person's individuality within the group.

the folks

Informal and friendly term for a group of people.

the crowd

Refers to a group of people gathered together.

the community

Highlights the shared attributes or location of a group of people.

the citizens

Stresses the civic identity of a group of people within a defined area.

the inhabitants

Refers to people residing in a specific place.

FAQs

Is "les people" grammatically correct in English?

No, "les people" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in English. It's a mix of French ("les") and English ("people"). Use "the people" instead.

What does "les people" mean?

"Les" is a French article meaning "the" (plural). Therefore, "les people" literally translates to "the people". However, it's not standard English usage.

When is it appropriate to use "les people"?

It might be appropriate in informal contexts or when intentionally mixing languages for stylistic effect, but it's best avoided in formal writing. Consider using "the people" or another more specific term.

What are some alternatives to "les people"?

Depending on the context, you could use "the people", "certain people", or "these people". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.