many persons

USAGE SUMMARY

"many persons" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a group of people without specifying their exact number. For example: "Many persons have been affected by the recent economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How many persons in Egypt want war?

The New Yorker

"We are in contact with many persons," he said.

The New York Times

Writer visited Gdansk and talked with many persons.

The New Yorker

It was a position, he said, "strongly held by many persons of wisdom and integrity".

The New York Times

As Fruin wrote, "Involuntary confrontation and contact at this distance is psychologically disturbing for many persons".

The New Yorker

I am one of many persons suffering ill health from the effects of electromagnetic radiation.

The New York Times

"How many persons depend on calling you Mother?" Ms. Brown demanded.

The New York Times

There are many persons like that who do not appreciate art.

The New Yorker

The software man comments on the many persons in the room suffering from fractures.

The New Yorker

Many persons, including Catherine de Médicis, hoped the civil war had come to an end.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Guidance, in this sense, is a pervasive activity in which many persons and organizations take part.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "many persons" when you want to maintain a formal tone, particularly in legal, academic, or official contexts. Be mindful of your audience, as it may sound overly formal in casual settings.

Common error

Avoid using "many persons" in informal settings, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for more common alternatives like "many people" or "several individuals" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "many persons" functions as a determiner phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, serving to quantify a group of individuals without specifying an exact number. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

23%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "many persons" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to refer to a group of people, as confirmed by Ludwig. While "many people" is more common in everyday conversation, "many persons" maintains a formal tone suitable for academic, legal, or official documents. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When choosing between "many persons" and its alternatives, consider your audience and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous individuals

Replaces "persons" with "individuals", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a multitude of people

Emphasizes a large quantity, using more descriptive language.

various people

Highlights diversity among the individuals, suggesting a mix of backgrounds or types.

several individuals

Indicates more than a few, but not an overwhelming number.

a significant number of people

Stresses the importance or impact of the quantity of individuals.

plenty of individuals

Suggests an ample or sufficient amount of people.

a considerable number of people

Emphasizes the size or amount as being worthy of attention.

innumerable individuals

Implies the number is so high it's difficult or impossible to count.

hosts of people

A more figurative way to describe a large group, suggesting they might be gathered together.

various characters

Focuses on the roles individuals play, particularly in narrative or fictional contexts.

FAQs

How to use "many persons" in a sentence?

"Many persons" can be used to refer to a large, unspecified group of individuals. For example: "Many persons were affected by the new policy."

What can I say instead of "many persons"?

Alternatives to "many persons" include phrases like "numerous individuals", "a multitude of people", or simply "many people" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "many persons" or "many people"?

Both "many persons" and "many people" are grammatically correct, but "many persons" is generally considered more formal and less common in everyday speech. "Many people" is usually preferred for its simplicity and broader applicability.

When should I use "many persons" instead of "many people"?

Use "many persons" when aiming for a formal or legalistic tone, such as in official documents, academic papers, or legal contexts. In more casual or general writing, "many people" is a more appropriate and widely accepted choice.