occupants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occupants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who reside in or are present in a particular space, such as a building, vehicle, or room. Example: "The fire alarm went off, and all occupants were instructed to evacuate the building immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ramirez was a passenger in a car that had stopped, and Morrison was talking with the occupants, police said.

The Guardian

The number of instances of "bed-blocking" was the same as the last week, with 4,000 hospital beds unavailable for incoming patients because of delays in transfers of occupants to care elsewhere.

The Guardian

In one case, police set a dog on the occupants of a car they had stopped.

The Guardian

If NSW are to wrest the State of Origin trophy away from Queensland they will have to win at least one of the series' two games (either Origin 1 or 3) at Lang Park, a hate-filled, spittle-flecked, XXXX-soaked madhouse whose Maroon-hued occupants will never tire of their team's hegemony.

The Guardian - Sport

Another 12 occupants - six men and six women – required medical treatment, including a man in his 20s who suffered neck and abdominal injuries.

The Guardian

The other 12 occupants – six men and six women – required triage.

The Guardian

"The remaining 12 occupants, six women and six men, suffered less serious injuries.

The Guardian

I got a lift up snowbound Glen Nevis from a mountain rescue Landrover last year (its occupants were not especially risk-averse types), another from a policeman to Fort William in May and one just last week, on Lewis, from a friendly fish-farm worker.

The Guardian - Opinion

The electoral roll lists the occupants as Mr Fowler, his wife Linda and Amy Fowler, believed to be their daughter.

The Guardian

In Kane County, Illinois, west of Chicago, storms washed out a stretch of an unlit, rural road and created a 10ft sinkhole that a Ford Taurus drove into early Tuesday morning, trapping both occupants.

The Guardian

Cristina Anolín, the Dominican hospital's medical director, said: "There was a time in the hospital where we started to receive several cancer patients rejected from other health centres in the city because, since they were terminal cases, they were seen just as timeless bed occupants.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occupants" when referring to the individuals present in a space without specifying their relationship to the space, such as in vehicles or buildings during emergencies.

Common error

Avoid using "occupants" when you specifically mean the owners or legal possessors of a property; use "owners" or "residents" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "occupants" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple individuals who occupy a space. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing people in cars, buildings, and other locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "occupants" functions as a plural noun denoting individuals present in a specific space. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. It serves to objectively describe individuals in various locations, maintaining a neutral tone. While alternatives like "residents" and "inhabitants" exist, "occupants" is preferred for general references without specifying residency. Understanding its correct usage, as highlighted in the best practices and common errors, enhances clarity in writing. Top sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

residents

Focuses on the individuals who live in a place.

inhabitants

Refers to those who dwell or reside in a particular place, often used more formally.

tenants

Individuals who rent or lease property from a landlord.

denizens

Implies residency or frequent presence in a specific place, often with a sense of belonging.

dwellers

Simple synonym denoting those who live in a specific place.

inmates

Specifically refers to the people residing in a place like a prison or mental institution.

lodgers

People who rent a room in someone else's house.

users

People who use or occupy a space temporarily or regularly.

people present

A more descriptive term for those currently in a location.

population

Refers to the total number of people inhabiting a specific area.

FAQs

What does "occupants" mean?

"Occupants" refers to the people who reside in or are present in a particular place, such as a house, building, or vehicle.

When should I use "occupants" instead of "residents"?

Use "occupants" when you want to refer to anyone present in a space, regardless of whether they live there. Use "residents" specifically for those who live there.

What are some synonyms for "occupants"?

Synonyms include "residents", "inhabitants", "denizens", and "tenants", depending on the context.

How do you use "occupants" in a sentence?

Example: "The police questioned the "occupants" of the vehicle after the traffic stop."