people

USAGE SUMMARY

"people" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of individual humans or to humankind in general. For example, "People around the world have been affected by the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People were screaming.

The New York Times

People are afraid".

The New York Times

Scotland's 56 SNP MPs will certainly seek to amend the legislation to ensure that young people are able to take part in the vote".

The Guardian

But yes, he does stare at people from time to time.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All the people who form those relations to me make up my community and you assaulted every single one of them".

The Guardian

The people have spoken".

The New York Times

I am for getting people from my background to vote".

The Guardian - Sport

Within 24 hours of this happening Katie Hopkins posted vile remarks on Twitter about how long the people of Scotland live for.

The Guardian

"It is a huge waste of the next generation's skills, potential and talent and it comes at a huge cost to young black and minority-ethnic people, their families, taxpayers and the economy".

The Guardian

"People tend to like a leader they feel is economically competent".

The Guardian

"We must show our young people, who may be targeted, that extremists have nothing to offer them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about groups with common interests or activities you can use more specific words like "players", "students" or "readers".

Common error

Avoid using "people" in broad, sweeping statements that lack specific evidence. Always provide context or specific data to support claims about groups of individuals.

Linguistic Context

People functions primarily as a plural noun, denoting a group or collection of individuals. It is commonly used to refer to a general group of humans, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "People are afraid" or "People want change".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "people" is a very common and grammatically correct plural noun used to refer to groups of individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, using more specific terms when appropriate, such as "citizens" or "residents", can enhance clarity. Avoiding overgeneralizations and providing supporting evidence are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human beings

A more formal and scientific term for humans.

individuals

Focuses on persons as distinct entities rather than a collective.

population

Refers to the entire group of inhabitants of a specific area or country.

persons

A more formal and legal term for individuals.

community members

Emphasizes the shared location or interests of the individuals.

the public

Implies a general collective without specific affiliation.

the populace

Similar to "the public", but often with a sense of the common people.

citizens

Highlights the legal or political status within a nation.

the citizenry

Highlights the collective of citizens within a state or nation.

inhabitants

Refers to those who reside in a particular place.

FAQs

How do I use "people" in a sentence?

"People" is a plural noun, so it takes a plural verb. For example, "People are affected by pollution".

What are some synonyms for "people"?

You can use alternatives like "individuals", "population", or "citizens" depending on the context.

Is "peoples" ever correct?

Yes, "peoples" is the plural of "people" when referring to multiple distinct ethnic or national groups. For example, "The indigenous peoples of the Americas".

What's the difference between "people" and "persons"?

"People" is the more common and general term, while "persons" is often used in legal or formal contexts. For example, a legal document might refer to "all persons present".