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 '18 at 15:12
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asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
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Nov 26 '18 at 17:08
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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.
word-usage word-choice
edited Nov 26 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
marked as duplicate by Jason Bassford, Nathan Tuggy, Eddie Kal, J.R.♦ word-usage
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Nov 26 '18 at 17:08
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
add a comment |
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.
word-usage word-choice
edited Nov 26 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
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 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
edited Nov 26 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
edited Nov 26 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
edited Nov 26 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
edited Nov 26 '18 at 15:12
fjack
716312
716312
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
asked Nov 26 '18 at 8:50
Lynn xuLynn xu
292
292
marked as duplicate by Jason Bassford, Nathan Tuggy, Eddie Kal, J.R.♦ word-usage
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Nov 26 '18 at 17:08
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Nov 26 '18 at 17:08
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2 Answers
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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 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
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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 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 17:10
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
add a comment |
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 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
add a comment |
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 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
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 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
answered Nov 26 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
answered Nov 26 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
answered Nov 26 '18 at 9:01
AstralbeeAstralbee
10.9k843
10.9k843
add a comment |
add a comment |
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 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 17:10
add a comment |
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 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 17:10
add a comment |
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 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
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 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
edited Nov 26 '18 at 14:04
answered Nov 26 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
answered Nov 26 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
answered Nov 26 '18 at 12:06
Марк ПавловичМарк Павлович
10010
10010
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 17:10
add a comment |
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 17:10
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
The situation is not as extreme as you make it out to be.
– Tᴚoɯɐuo
Nov 26 '18 at 12:55
1
1
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 at 13:13
Explain if I'm wrong
– Марк Павлович
Nov 26 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 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 '18 at 17:10
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