various people

USAGE SUMMARY

"various people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a group of people with different qualities, characteristics, backgrounds, etc., and are not specifying any particular individuals. For example: "Various people attended the conference from different backgrounds and walks of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monologues of various people:.

The New Yorker

"It was various people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He also interviewed various people.

The New Yorker

Also quotes letters to & from various people.

The New Yorker

I managed through various people to get to see him.

The Guardian - Film

I asked various people: What is the regime thinking?

The New Yorker

I think I'm caught between various people with different agendas.

The New York Times

"We've spent $4tn trying to topple various people.

The Guardian

Who are the various people talking on the air?

The New York Times

In both, various people they left behind exchange confessional conversation.

The New York Times

Writer investigates the crime, interviewing various people involved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various people", ensure the context clearly indicates why their diversity is relevant to the discussion. For instance, "The success of the project relied on the input from "various people" with expertise in different fields".

Common error

Avoid using "various people" as a vague placeholder. If possible, specify the types of people or their roles to provide more clarity and impact. Instead of saying ""various people" were consulted", try "engineers, designers, and marketers were consulted".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various people" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to a group of individuals. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "various people" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that refers to a group of individuals, often emphasizing their diversity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is appropriate in numerous contexts, particularly in news and media, where it often serves to generalize a group without naming specifics. While alternatives such as ""numerous individuals"" or ""diverse group"" exist, "various people" offers a balance of informality and clarity suitable for many writing situations. Just remember to use it in a context where the variety of the individuals is pertinent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerous individuals

Replaces "people" with the more formal "individuals" and "various" with "numerous", emphasizing a large quantity.

diverse group

Focuses on the diversity within the group, replacing the general term "people" with the more specific "group".

several persons

Uses "persons", a more formal alternative to "people", while maintaining a sense of multiplicity with "several".

many individuals

Replaces "various" with "many", highlighting a large number of individuals without emphasizing their diversity.

assorted individuals

Highlights the variety or assortment of individuals involved.

different individuals

Emphasizes the distinction and uniqueness of each person.

multiple parties

Uses "parties" to suggest involved individuals or groups, often in a formal or legal context.

a range of individuals

Highlights the spectrum or breadth of people involved.

a number of people

Emphasizes the quantity of individuals, similar to "many people".

sundry individuals

Uses the somewhat archaic "sundry" to indicate a collection of diverse or miscellaneous individuals.

FAQs

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

You can use "various people" to refer to a group of individuals with differing characteristics or roles, like in the sentence, ""Various people" attended the conference, representing different industries and perspectives".

What are some alternatives to saying "various people"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "numerous individuals", "diverse group", or "several persons".

Is it better to say "various people" or "various individuals"?

Both "various people" and "various individuals" are correct. "People" is more common and informal, while "individuals" is more formal. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "various people" and "certain people"?

"Various people" implies a diverse group with different characteristics, while "certain people" suggests a specific, often unnamed, group known to the speaker or writer. For example, ""Various people" volunteered their time", versus ""Certain people" were responsible for the error".