persons who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "persons who" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals in a formal or legal context, often to specify a group of people with a particular characteristic or role. Example: "Persons who are eligible for the scholarship must submit their applications by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The persons who develop them have the advantage of successfully coping with personal and professional challenges.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Tells about his early life & various persons who influenced him.

The New Yorker

Mentions persons who were at the writer's table.

The New Yorker

In persons who survive, weakness may persist for weeks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The majority of persons who use assistive technology are elderly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of 10 persons who catch it, only one survives.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Two persons, who knew the participant well, completed a questionnaire.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Secondly, persons who have emigrated are lost to follow-up.

Genus

The persons who are worshipped are ancestral spirits.

Functional Linguistics

Or do you need persons who have certain attributes?

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Informed consent was given by persons who answered the questionnaire.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "persons who" in formal and legal contexts where a more precise and respectful tone is required. For less formal writing, consider using "people who" or "individuals who".

Common error

Avoid using "persons who" in casual conversation or informal writing. In such contexts, "people who" sounds more natural and less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persons who" functions as a relative clause, specifying a particular group of individuals based on a certain characteristic or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies and describes individuals in a formal manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "persons who" is grammatically sound and functions as a relative clause to identify specific individuals. While accurate, according to Ludwig AI, it carries a formal tone and is most appropriate for legal, academic, and scientific contexts. In less formal situations, alternatives such as "people who" or "individuals who" are more suitable. The usage of "persons who" is quite common, especially within scientific literature, as highlighted by the numerous examples. While "persons who" is a correct and proper expression, choosing the most contextually appropriate alternative can significantly improve the tone and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individuals that

Replaces "persons" with "individuals", slightly altering the formality level.

people that

Substitutes "persons" with the more common and informal "people".

those who

A more concise way to refer to individuals with a specific characteristic.

parties who

Often used in legal or formal contexts to refer to individuals or entities.

subjects who

Commonly used in research and scientific contexts to refer to participants.

candidates who

Specifies individuals being considered for a position or role.

applicants who

Refers to individuals applying for something, such as a job or program.

members who

Used to describe individuals belonging to a group or organization.

residents who

Identifies individuals living in a particular area or dwelling.

citizens who

Refers to individuals with citizenship in a specific country.

FAQs

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

Use "persons who" in formal, legal, or official contexts where a more precise and respectful tone is required. In everyday conversation or less formal writing, "people who" is generally more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "persons who" in academic writing?

In academic writing, alternatives to "persons who" include "individuals who", "subjects who" (in research contexts), or "participants who" depending on the specific context.

Is "persons who" grammatically correct?

Yes, "persons who" is grammatically correct, but it is perceived as more formal and less common than "people who". Its usage is suitable for official or legal documents.

Can I use "that" instead of "who" after "persons"?

While grammatically acceptable, using "who" after "persons" is generally preferred because "who" refers to people, whereas "that" is typically used for things or animals. Therefore it is better to write "persons who" rather than "persons that".