the persons in question

USAGE SUMMARY

"the persons in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to people who have been previously mentioned or are relevant to a particular discussion. For example: "The judge requested that the persons in question be present at the hearing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

To perpetuate it publicly is to harm other persons, and this matters objectively even if I don't personally, subjectively care about the persons in question.

The New York Times

All I can tell you is, the persons in question were invited to the party, and that's the bottom line.

The New York Times

"The persons in question do not advocate the chosen solution, but respect the choice of the Ministry of Finance," according to a statement.

The New York Times

Also cool: when you label your buddies with Stipple's People Dots, you can opt to send notifications to the persons in question.

TechCrunch

His principle for distinguishing those exempt from morally responsible agency is informed exclusively by whether the persons in question are incapacitated to understand and comply with the demands of moral obligations.

SEP

Arguably, even where a deontological framework has been adopted, the relevant deontic properties do not subsume, take the place of, provide the basis for, or go hand in hand with, the function-driven (or ends-directed) actions of the persons in question.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

For example, did the person in question become re-elected?

The New York Times

In one case, the person in question didn't even knock.

The New Yorker

We say that the person in question is good or bad.

The New Yorker

To start, he says it's important to understand how the person in question normally acts.

Independent

"That's a problem for the person in question," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the persons in question" to maintain a formal and somewhat distanced tone when referring to individuals already introduced or known within a specific context. This is particularly useful in legal, official, or academic writing where precision and objectivity are paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "the persons in question" in casual conversations or informal writing. This phrase can sound stilted or unnecessarily formal in everyday contexts where simpler alternatives like "the people involved" or "those mentioned" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the persons in question" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically used to identify and refer to individuals who have been previously mentioned or are relevant to a particular context. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the persons in question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to refer to individuals previously mentioned or pertinent to a specific context. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, its formal tone makes it more suitable for official, legal, or academic settings. Simpler alternatives such as "the people involved" or "those mentioned" are often preferred in informal contexts. The phrase appears primarily in News & Media and Science, suggesting its use in more structured and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the people in question

Replaces "persons" with the more commonly used term "people".

those in question

Uses the pronoun "those" for a more concise reference to the individuals.

the individuals concerned

Emphasizes the relevance of the individuals to the situation at hand.

the parties involved

Focuses on the role of the individuals as participants in a specific event or situation.

the relevant parties

Highlights the importance of the individuals to the matter being discussed.

the subjects in question

Implies that the individuals are being studied or investigated.

the aforementioned individuals

Formally refers back to individuals previously identified.

the individuals under consideration

Suggests a process of evaluation or deliberation involving the individuals.

the suspects

Specifically refers to individuals suspected of wrongdoing.

the accused

Specifically refers to individuals formally charged with a crime.

FAQs

How can I use "the persons in question" in a sentence?

Use "the persons in question" to refer to individuals previously mentioned or relevant to the discussion. For example: "The judge requested that "the persons in question" be present at the hearing."

What is a good substitute for "the persons in question"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "the people involved", "those involved", or "the individuals concerned".

Is "the persons in question" formal or informal?

"The persons in question" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler alternatives are more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "the person in question" and "the persons in question"?

"The person in question" refers to a single individual, while "the persons in question" refers to multiple individuals. For example: "The person in question was unavailable for comment" versus "The persons in question were all invited to the meeting."