the very same people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the very same people' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to emphasize that the same people are being referred to as were mentioned before. For example, "We voted for the same mayor four years ago, and now we must cast our vote for the very same people once again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes they are host to the very same people they visited that morning.

The Guardian

Yet the very same people who wanted this also wanted their own goodies preserved.

The New York Times - Books

But when asked, "What is your religion?" 61% of the very same people answered Christian.

The Guardian - Books

And suddenly he had to depend on the very same people".

The New York Times

The very same people also helped the Conservative party to win one election after another.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the other hand, you get the very same people demanding strong action.

The New York Times

How can we stop the expulsion of the very same people who make the city an exciting place to live?

The Guardian - Opinion

And now, some of the very same people and the tactics he once deplored his campaign now employs.

The New York Times

"The very same people shouting loudest in uproar this week were making some of the biggest offers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The very same people of whom are now criticising Jeremy Corbyn demonised Nelson Mandela as a terrorist.

The Guardian

The very same people who had caused the massive depletion of herds now became the fiercest warriors for conservation.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very same people" to emphasize irony, repetition, or a surprising recurrence of a particular group in a new situation. This phrase adds a layer of emphasis that "the same people" might lack.

Common error

Avoid using "the very same people" when simply referring to a group previously mentioned without the need for added emphasis or surprise. Using "the same people" is sufficient in neutral contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very same people" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a specific group of individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used to emphasize that the individuals are identical to those previously mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very same people" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to spotlight a specific group of individuals, typically to underscore a surprising recurrence or irony. As Ludwig AI verifies, the phrase is correct and serves to add emphasis beyond a simple reference. It is mostly common in news and media contexts, therefore a neutral register. When writing, reserve its use for when this added emphasis is truly intended to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the identical individuals

Replaces "people" with "individuals" maintaining a formal tone and emphasizing the distinct identity of each person.

those exact persons

Uses "persons" instead of "people" for a slightly more formal or legalistic tone. "Exact" reinforces the precision of the identity.

the selfsame individuals

"Selfsame" is a more emphatic and somewhat archaic synonym for "very same", adding a layer of intensity.

the precise individuals

Emphasizes accuracy and lack of ambiguity in identifying the people.

the aforementioned people

Refers back to a group of people previously mentioned, suitable for formal writing.

the very persons in question

Highlights that the people being discussed are central to the current issue or situation.

the same individuals as before

Adds clarity by explicitly stating that these individuals were previously involved or mentioned.

the same folks

A more informal alternative using "folks" instead of "people".

the aforementioned group

Broadens the term to "group", which can encompass people but also other entities, useful if the context isn't exclusively human.

the original people

Implies that the people in question were present at the beginning of an event or situation, emphasizing their role from the start.

FAQs

How can I use "the very same people" in a sentence?

You can use "the very same people" to emphasize that the individuals being discussed are identical to those previously mentioned, often highlighting a surprising or ironic situation. For instance, "The very same people who criticized the project now praise its success".

What's the difference between "the same people" and "the very same people"?

"The same people" simply indicates that you're referring to a group previously mentioned. "The very same people" adds emphasis, often suggesting surprise, irony, or a significant recurrence. The 'very' intensifies the sameness.

Are there formal alternatives to "the very same people"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "the identical individuals" or "those exact persons" depending on the context. These options provide a more professional tone.

Is "the very same people" always appropriate in writing?

While grammatically correct, "the very same people" is best used when the emphasis on "sameness" is important to the context. If simple identification is sufficient, "the same people" is a more neutral and appropriate choice.