Question
Updated on
26 Apr 2017
- Simplified Chinese (China)
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English (UK)
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Japanese
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English (US)
Question about English (US)
Is persons correct plural form of person in American English? If so, when "persons" could be used, and when "people" must be used?
Is persons correct plural form of person in American English? If so, when "persons" could be used, and when "people" must be used?
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- English (US)
- Simplified Chinese (China) Near fluent
people is more correct. Persons sound too formal
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- English (US)
It is much more accepted to say "people." "Persons" can be correct, but it is not used almost at all. "Persons" is used when speaking about an exact number of people.
Example: "There were eight persons at the party."
I would just use "people." "There were a few people at the party." sounds better.
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- English (US)
- Filipino
- English (UK)
Persons is usually only used in formal English.
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