Difference between “people” and “persons”? [duplicate]
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persons vs people
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At least 5 people died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
At least 5 persons died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
word-usage word-choice
edited Nov 26 at 15:12
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Nov 26 at 17:08
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persons vs people
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At least 5 people died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
At least 5 persons died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
word-usage word-choice
edited Nov 26 at 15:12
fjack
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asked Nov 26 at 8:50
Lynn xu
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Nov 26 at 17:08
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up vote
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This question already has an answer here:
persons vs people
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At least 5 people died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
At least 5 persons died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
word-usage word-choice
edited Nov 26 at 15:12
fjack
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asked Nov 26 at 8:50
Lynn xu
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This question already has an answer here:
persons vs people
1 answer
At least 5 people died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
At least 5 persons died in Bangladesh and more than 200 are injured.
This question already has an answer here:
persons vs people
1 answer
word-usage word-choice
word-usage word-choice
edited Nov 26 at 15:12
fjack
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edited Nov 26 at 15:12
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edited Nov 26 at 15:12
fjack
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edited Nov 26 at 15:12
fjack
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edited Nov 26 at 15:12
fjack
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693312
asked Nov 26 at 8:50
Lynn xu
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asked Nov 26 at 8:50
Lynn xu
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asked Nov 26 at 8:50
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291
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marked as duplicate by Jason Bassford, Nathan Tuggy, Eddie Kal, J.R.♦ word-usage
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Nov 26 at 17:08
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Nov 26 at 17:08
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2 Answers
2
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up vote
6
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You could probably have answered this with a quick Google. This dictionary explains the historic difference.
Historically, "persons" was used to describe a specific, countable number of individuals. So in your examples above, "persons" would have been the correct word to use, because they have been counted, and there are 5 of them.
"People" was once therefore only used to describe an undetermined number. However, that is no longer the case, and the dictionary link I gave above explains that for several decades "people" has been preferred as the plural of "person" in all uses. "Persons" is not incorrect, but tends to be used only in extremely formal settings such as legal documents.
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
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Persons can be archaic and not. If not, then it is only used in official, law language or to highlight how those 'persons' are respected.
For example:
Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks.
Police must have a legal reason to arrest persons who are accused of having committed a crime.
You see, it's an official law language. These sentences would be acceptable in a law book in a certain context.
Example of highlighting how the persons are respected:
The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it.
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
2
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
You could probably have answered this with a quick Google. This dictionary explains the historic difference.
Historically, "persons" was used to describe a specific, countable number of individuals. So in your examples above, "persons" would have been the correct word to use, because they have been counted, and there are 5 of them.
"People" was once therefore only used to describe an undetermined number. However, that is no longer the case, and the dictionary link I gave above explains that for several decades "people" has been preferred as the plural of "person" in all uses. "Persons" is not incorrect, but tends to be used only in extremely formal settings such as legal documents.
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
You could probably have answered this with a quick Google. This dictionary explains the historic difference.
Historically, "persons" was used to describe a specific, countable number of individuals. So in your examples above, "persons" would have been the correct word to use, because they have been counted, and there are 5 of them.
"People" was once therefore only used to describe an undetermined number. However, that is no longer the case, and the dictionary link I gave above explains that for several decades "people" has been preferred as the plural of "person" in all uses. "Persons" is not incorrect, but tends to be used only in extremely formal settings such as legal documents.
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
add a comment |
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
You could probably have answered this with a quick Google. This dictionary explains the historic difference.
Historically, "persons" was used to describe a specific, countable number of individuals. So in your examples above, "persons" would have been the correct word to use, because they have been counted, and there are 5 of them.
"People" was once therefore only used to describe an undetermined number. However, that is no longer the case, and the dictionary link I gave above explains that for several decades "people" has been preferred as the plural of "person" in all uses. "Persons" is not incorrect, but tends to be used only in extremely formal settings such as legal documents.
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
You could probably have answered this with a quick Google. This dictionary explains the historic difference.
Historically, "persons" was used to describe a specific, countable number of individuals. So in your examples above, "persons" would have been the correct word to use, because they have been counted, and there are 5 of them.
"People" was once therefore only used to describe an undetermined number. However, that is no longer the case, and the dictionary link I gave above explains that for several decades "people" has been preferred as the plural of "person" in all uses. "Persons" is not incorrect, but tends to be used only in extremely formal settings such as legal documents.
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
answered Nov 26 at 9:01
Astralbee
8,986533
8,986533
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Persons can be archaic and not. If not, then it is only used in official, law language or to highlight how those 'persons' are respected.
For example:
Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks.
Police must have a legal reason to arrest persons who are accused of having committed a crime.
You see, it's an official law language. These sentences would be acceptable in a law book in a certain context.
Example of highlighting how the persons are respected:
The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it.
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
2
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
Persons can be archaic and not. If not, then it is only used in official, law language or to highlight how those 'persons' are respected.
For example:
Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks.
Police must have a legal reason to arrest persons who are accused of having committed a crime.
You see, it's an official law language. These sentences would be acceptable in a law book in a certain context.
Example of highlighting how the persons are respected:
The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it.
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
2
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Persons can be archaic and not. If not, then it is only used in official, law language or to highlight how those 'persons' are respected.
For example:
Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks.
Police must have a legal reason to arrest persons who are accused of having committed a crime.
You see, it's an official law language. These sentences would be acceptable in a law book in a certain context.
Example of highlighting how the persons are respected:
The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it.
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
Persons can be archaic and not. If not, then it is only used in official, law language or to highlight how those 'persons' are respected.
For example:
Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy alcoholic drinks.
Police must have a legal reason to arrest persons who are accused of having committed a crime.
You see, it's an official law language. These sentences would be acceptable in a law book in a certain context.
Example of highlighting how the persons are respected:
The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it.
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
edited Nov 26 at 14:04
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
answered Nov 26 at 12:06
Марк Павлович
9310
9310
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
2
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
add a comment |
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
2
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 12:55
1
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 13:13
2
2
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I didn't say you were "wrong", just that you had stated the case in terms that were too extreme. It is possible to use person and also the plural persons in non-legalistic contexts. He's an important person who should be invited to the conference. And the plural persons is often used in a desire to speak respectfully: The new apartment building will have wheelchair access for persons with disabilities.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 at 13:30
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
I edited my answer. If I haven't still described all usages of 'persons', feel free to edit my answer.
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 at 14:09
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
It's used a lot in headlines, too. I think Anand, in his answer here, summarized it well: It prevails only in a few contexts, most notably law and law enforcement, and in a few common phrases. Elsewhere, it usually gives way to people. That seems more accurate than: Otherwise it's just archaic and you should avoid it..
– J.R.♦
Nov 26 at 17:10
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