these people

USAGE SUMMARY

"these people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a group of people that you have already mentioned or that you will mention in the next sentence. For example: "These people have made a significant contribution to the project. We would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's from these people".

The New Yorker

These people are amazing.

The New York Times

"These people, it's garbage".

The New York Times

These people are broken.

The New York Times

"These people are hallucinating".

The New York Times

These people need homes".

The Guardian - Opinion

"These people are scientists.

The New York Times - Health

These people are phonies!

The New York Times

I am these people.

The New York Times

Good for these people.

The New York Times

These people are hungry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if a more specific term might be better. For example, instead of "these people," you might say "the scientists" or "the protesters".

Common error

Avoid using "these people" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can sound repetitive. Ensure it's clear who "these people" refers to, otherwise, clarify with a more descriptive phrase to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these people" functions as a demonstrative pronoun followed by a noun, serving to identify or specify a particular group of individuals. As Ludwig AI indicates, it refers to people already mentioned or understood within the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these people" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to refer to a group of individuals already established within a conversation or text. As Ludwig AI explains, it's best used when the reference is clear to avoid ambiguity. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives like "those individuals" or "the aforementioned" in professional or academic settings. The phrase is predominantly found in News & Media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they

A simple pronoun replacing "these people" when the referent is already clear.

this group

Refers to a specific collection of individuals, similar to "these people" but potentially implying a more defined or organized assembly.

those individuals

More formal and distanced than "these people", used to refer to specific persons previously mentioned or known.

the aforementioned

Refers to people or things previously mentioned, providing a direct link to a prior reference.

such persons

A formal way of referring to individuals, often used in legal or official contexts.

the individuals in question

Emphasizes that the individuals are under consideration or scrutiny.

the subjects

Implies that the people are being studied or observed, often in a scientific or research setting.

the party in question

A formal way to refer to a person or group involved in a specific matter or situation.

the present company

Refers to the people currently present or involved in a situation.

those concerned

Refers to people who are affected by or have an interest in a particular matter.

FAQs

How can I use "these people" in a sentence?

Use "these people" to refer to a group of individuals previously mentioned or easily identifiable in the context. For example, "After the presentation, "these people" approached me with questions".

What phrases can I use instead of "these people"?

Alternatives include "this group", "those individuals", or simply "they", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "these people" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "these people" might sound informal in some formal contexts. Consider using more specific or formal alternatives like "the aforementioned" or "such persons".

How can I make it clear who I'm referring to when I use "these people"?

Ensure that the reference for "these people" is clear from the preceding sentences. Provide context or identify the group explicitly before using the phrase to avoid confusion. For instance, you can clearly define the subjects prior to using the expression "these people".