the residents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the residents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to people who live in a particular place, such as a neighborhood, building, or community. Example: "The residents of the apartment complex organized a meeting to discuss safety concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The residents, the football.

The New Yorker

The residents all fled.

The New York Times

The residents burst out laughing.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the residents are adamant.

Independent

But the residents remained unconvinced.

Independent

Today, the residents have changed.

The New York Times

"The residents will come back".

The New York Times

The residents are not convinced.

The New York Times

Cos is in the residents' association.

Independent

Soon, the residents are promised, soon.

The New York Times

And so the residents "are waiting.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the residents" to refer to people who live in a particular place, whether it's a neighborhood, building, or even a country. Ensure that the context makes it clear which area you're referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "the residents" when referring to temporary visitors or tourists. This term implies a more permanent connection to a place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the residents" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase where "the" is the definite article and "residents" is the common noun. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a group of people living in a particular area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the residents" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to people who live in a specific location. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent usage in news, media, and scientific contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider alternatives like "inhabitants" or "community members" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is perfectly usable in written English and is widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the inhabitants

Replaces "residents" with a synonym emphasizing dwelling in a place.

the occupants

Focuses on those currently occupying a space, be it a building or area.

the dwellers

Emphasizes the act of living or residing in a particular place.

the townsfolk

Specifically refers to the people living in a town.

the locals

Highlights the individuals native to or regularly found in a specific area.

the community members

Stresses the group aspect and shared identity of people living in the same area.

the population

Refers to all the people inhabiting a specific area.

the citizenry

Highlights the people living in a particular area with respect to their rights and duties as citizens.

the denizens

A more formal synonym for "residents", often used in literary or legal contexts.

the householders

Focuses specifically on those who own or rent a house in a given area.

FAQs

How do I use "the residents" in a sentence?

Use "the residents" to refer to people living in a specific location. For instance, "The residents of the building organized a meeting" or "The residents of the town are concerned about the new development".

What are some alternatives to saying "the residents"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the inhabitants", "the locals", "community members", or "the population".

Is it correct to use "the residents" to refer to tourists?

No, it is generally not correct. "The residents" typically refers to people who live permanently or semi-permanently in a specific area. Tourists are better described as "visitors" or "tourists".

What's the difference between "the residents" and "the citizens"?

"The residents" refers to people living in a specific location, regardless of their citizenship status. "The citizens", on the other hand, refers specifically to people who are legal citizens of a particular country or region.