Many usage guides over the years have suggested that there is a clear distinction between these two words; people is used when referring to a collective group or indeterminate number, and persons …

Persons (plural) is a very formal word. We only use it in rather legalistic contexts: [notice in a lift] Any person or persons found in possession of illegal substances will be prosecuted. To refer to groups of …

Oct 11, 2021 · Both persons and people can be used as plural forms of person. Persons is often used in formal, legal contexts to emphasize individuals as opposed to a group. People is the plural of person …

The word people is the most common and de facto plural form, but persons is also grammatically correct, just used less frequently and in more specific contexts.

"When we say persons," says Wilson Follett's Modern American Usage, "we are thinking, or ought to be, of ones —individuals with identities; whereas when we say people we should mean a large group, an …

Jun 17, 2025 · “People” or “Persons”? In short, persons is typically only found in legal or technical writing. But if you’re referring to the plural of person as a collective noun, then the word you should …

Persons, people, or peoples? The plural of person should be people in the vast majority of contexts, although legalese uses the plural persons. Peoples should be reserved for instances where you are …

In the past, persons referred to a specific number of individuals, whereas people was used in a more general sense. You would not use persons in reference to groups of large or indeterminate size, …

Aug 8, 2025 · “ Persons” is for a formal count of individuals. “ People” is for a collective group of individuals. “ Peoples” is used when referring to multiple distinct groups or cultures.

Sep 27, 2024 · People is used to talk about multiple humans or to refer to a group, and persons is used to refer to various individuals with the focus on their individuality. People is the commonly-accepted …