those people

USAGE SUMMARY

"those people" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically refers to a group of people who have already been mentioned or are easily identified in the context. For example: "My friends and I went to the park yesterday, but those people over there just stayed in their car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those people?

The New York Times

All those people.

The New Yorker

I've met those people.

The New York Times - Books

Those people impress me.

The New York Times

Those people were white.

The New York Times

"I trusted those people.

Independent

You know those people?

The New Yorker

Those people hated that.

The New Yorker

Don't become those people.

Independent

Those people were optimists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those people include cartoonists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly identifies who "those people" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "those people" without establishing who you're referring to. The reader may not have the same context or understanding, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "those people" functions as a demonstrative pronoun phrase, referring to a specific group of individuals previously mentioned or understood within the context. Ludwig confirms that it's a correct and common way to reference a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "those people" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a previously identified group of individuals. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from news and media sources. While generally neutral in tone, writers should ensure clarity and avoid potentially dismissive connotations by providing adequate context and considering more precise alternatives when appropriate. When used correctly, it serves as an effective means of continuing discussions about specific groups. Consider using alternatives such as "that group of individuals" for enhanced clarity or "the aforementioned individuals" for a more formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that group of individuals

Emphasizes the group aspect more explicitly.

the aforementioned individuals

More formal and suitable for written contexts where the individuals have been previously mentioned.

the individuals in question

Highlights that the people are under discussion or scrutiny.

the folks mentioned earlier

More casual and conversational, suitable for informal settings.

the party in question

Formal and often used in legal or official settings.

the individuals concerned

Neutral and widely applicable in formal and informal situations.

the members involved

Emphasizes membership or participation in a group or activity.

the subjects under discussion

More academic or analytical, suitable for formal writing.

those concerned

Shorter and more direct way of referring to individuals affected by a situation.

the previously identified people

Emphasizes that the people have been identified before.

FAQs

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

"Those people" refers to a group previously mentioned or easily identifiable. For instance, "I saw a group of teenagers at the park; "those people" were playing music loudly."

What's a less vague alternative to "those people"?

To be more specific, you could use "the aforementioned individuals", "that group", or simply restate the group's description if it's unclear who "those people" refers to.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "those people"?

Using "those people" can be perceived as dismissive or exclusionary if the context suggests a negative or biased perspective. Ensure your tone remains neutral to avoid causing offense.

Can I use "those people" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "those people" might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using more precise language such as "the individuals in question" or "the aforementioned parties" for a more professional tone.