persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "persons" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to people in general, usually when talking about a group of more than one. For example, "We need to allow persons of all ages to access the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable".

The Guardian

"We have lately seen an increase in the number of persons leaving Norway to take part in acts of war, attend training camps or join terrorist networks abroad," the Norwegian authorities said.

The New York Times

The response from most sensible people is that foetuses are not persons, whatever they turn out to be.

The Guardian - Opinion

JIEDDO's vice director told the inspector general in August 2012 that neither "JIEDDO nor the COIC collects information on US persons".

The Guardian

In a statement shortly following the law was passed, the government said that "South Africa takes note of the recent developments regarding the situation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex persons (LGBTI) worldwide….[and] will, through existing diplomatic channels, be seeking clarification on these developments from many capitals around the world".

The Guardian

"I would be grateful if your agency would accept the responsibility for investigating this matter with a view to identification and, if appropriate, prosecution of the persons responsible".

The Guardian

"UNHCR does not object to the returns of persons properly found not to be in need of international protection, but considers anyone claiming asylum has a right to have their case properly assessed by qualified personnel in accordance with the necessary procedural and legal safeguards".

The Guardian

Advocates for criminalisation will argue that "prostituted persons" (a despicable term that denies our agency) will be decriminalised under the new proposals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because their gender roles involved a mixture of both masculine and feminine traits, two-spirit persons could do both the work of men and of women.

The Guardian - Music

In the 20th-century, as homophobic European Christian influences increased among many Native Americans, respect for same-sex love and for androgynous persons greatly declined.

The Guardian - Music

Therefore, many Native American religions, rather than stigmatising such persons, often looked to them as religious leaders and teachers.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "persons" in formal or legal contexts where precision and a degree of detachment are desired. For example, in legal documents or official reports, "persons of interest" is preferred over "people of interest".

Common error

Avoid using "persons" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for "people" which is generally more appropriate and natural in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "persons" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple individuals. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is often used in formal contexts such as legal documents or official reports. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "persons" functions as the plural form of "person", primarily utilized in formal contexts such as legal, official, and technical documents. While grammatically correct, its use in informal settings is often perceived as stilted. Ludwig's examples confirm its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. For more casual communication, the term "people" is generally preferred. The expert rating emphasizes the importance of source authority and consistency, recommending "persons" for situations requiring precision and detachment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable term but should be applied judiciously based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people

The most common and general term for a group of humans.

individuals

Focuses on the separate and distinct nature of each person.

human beings

Emphasizes the biological and species-specific nature of people.

citizens

Refers to people with legal rights and responsibilities within a specific political entity.

inhabitants

Describes people who live in a particular place or region.

figures

Refers to people mentioned or appearing in a particular context or data set.

souls

Highlights the spiritual or moral dimension of individuals.

characters

Often used in narrative or fictional contexts to describe the people involved in a story.

mortals

Emphasizes the finite and temporal nature of human existence.

subjects

Implies a relationship of authority or governance.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "persons" instead of "people"?

"Persons" is more formal and often used in legal, official, or technical contexts where precision is needed. "People" is generally preferred in everyday conversation or informal writing.

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

"Persons" is a straightforward plural of "person". "Individuals" emphasizes the separate and distinct nature of each person, suggesting a focus on their unique characteristics.

Can I use "persons" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, using "persons" in informal writing can sound stilted or overly formal. "People" is typically a better choice for casual contexts.

What are some alternatives to using "persons" in legal documents?

In legal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "parties", "individuals", or "subjects" depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality.