our persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our persons" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used in a very specific context where you are referring to individuals in a collective sense, but it is generally better to use more standard terms. Example: "In our organization, we prioritize the well-being of our persons, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Let's make sure that any debate over privacy and security considers how our right to be secure in our persons, papers and personal effects extends online. .

Huffington Post

I will add that I have photos of our bags that we keep on our persons.

The New York Times - Travel

From the right perspective, Schulz taught us, it is not just our persons but our problems that seem insignificant.

The Guardian - Books

We drained our glasses, brushed the crisp crumbs from our persons and strolled back to the hotel.

The Guardian - Books

Technologists, businesspeople, and most politicians assume so, celebrating its ability to improve our persons, experiences, and material circumstances.

MIT Technology Review

We do not carry these on our persons at all times, and nor are we required to do so..

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

But not every woman we hang out with is destined to become "our person".

Huffington Post

Safety concerns, first and foremost, our individual person.

Huffington Post

Personal data is an extension of our person.

HuffPost

Collecting additional information is the key to our person-centred approach.

The Guardian

"As soon as he said it, I thought, We've found our person".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. "Our persons" is most appropriate in legal or philosophical discussions about rights and protections. For everyday communication, "our people" or "our members" might be a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using "our persons" in casual conversation. It can sound stilted or unnatural in informal settings. Opt for more common alternatives like "our friends" or "our family" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our persons" primarily functions as a possessive determiner followed by a noun, indicating ownership or belonging to a group. It is frequently used in legal and philosophical contexts to denote the individuals whose rights or well-being are being discussed, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "our persons" is not universally appropriate. Ludwig indicates the phrase, while acceptable, may sound awkward in many contexts. It functions primarily as a possessive determiner plus noun, often used in formal or legal settings to emphasize collective rights or responsibilities. When choosing this phrase, consider the context, audience, and desired level of formality, as alternatives like "our people" or "our members" may be more suitable in everyday usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our people

More commonly used and less formal.

our individuals

Slightly more emphatic and formal.

our citizens

Implies a national or civic context.

our members

Appropriate for organizations or groups.

our staff

Suitable for professional or work-related environments.

our constituents

Relevant in political or representative contexts.

our fellows

More archaic and literary, implying camaraderie.

our kind

Suggests a shared nature or identity.

our species

Broadly refers to humanity.

our brethren

Has a religious or fraternal connotation.

FAQs

What does "our persons" mean?

The phrase "our persons" refers to people in a collective, possessive sense. It's often used in legal or philosophical contexts when discussing rights, protections, or responsibilities pertaining to a group of individuals.

When is it appropriate to use "our persons"?

It's best to use "our persons" in formal writing, legal documents, or philosophical discussions where precision and a degree of formality are required. In everyday conversation, using alternatives like "our people" or "our members" is generally more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "our persons"?

Depending on the context, you could use "our people", "our citizens", "our members", or "our staff". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Is "our persons" grammatically correct?

Yes, "our persons" is grammatically correct, although it's not as commonly used as other similar phrases. While grammatically sound, it may come off as too formal or archaic in casual contexts.