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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Persons or People?
Persons or People?
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ARaquelSP
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Persons or People?
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Dear ESL users,
This may be a stupid question but it �s something nI �ve been recently confronted with. I have always told my students that the plural of person is people, but, however, there are some cases when we can say persons. Does anyone know WHEN exactly we can say persons and not people? Thanks a lot!
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12 Mar 2009
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ameliarator
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Hi! This is one of the many annoying little things about English. �"Persons" is a very formal term, mostly used in legal situations such as "The Persons with Disabilities Act." �So you are both right that it should be avoided in general speech. Hope this helps! |
12 Mar 2009
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ARaquelSP
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Thank you. I also say people all the time. But, for example, I �ve already heard some of my coleagues saying "persons" when they talk about the Personal Pronouns. Ex.: First and Second Persons singular.  So, I got a bit confused.
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12 Mar 2009
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libertybelle
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I just say FOLKS! (just like they do in Old Virginia!!)  Just kidding!
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12 Mar 2009
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chorima
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ARaquelSP,I am not a native....but as far as I know, the use of persons when talking about grammar (as your colleagues do) is right (it �s a linguistic term).
regards
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12 Mar 2009
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zailda
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I only use �persons � when teaching grammar.
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12 Mar 2009
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cgato
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Hi!
When referring to more than one person I always teach my students that they should use people!
But when listening to films or series it �s not the first time I hear persons...! |
12 Mar 2009
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Giselle del Val
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I have seen PERSONS in some signs when it is about capacity, for example inside a lift. It is sth like:
CAPACITY: ONLY FIVE PERSONS
That�s my contribution
Giselle
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13 Mar 2009
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ARaquelSP
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Thank you very much to all who helped me. 
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13 Mar 2009
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zoemorosini
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Hello ARaquelSP:
"Persons" is used in legal, regulatory and formal situations. For example, court proceedings (5 persons of interest), police reports (5 persons were arrested), accident reports (falling debris injured 5 persons), posted rules (maximum capacity 5 persons), etc.
"People" is used in common communications, as in counting (I see five people), descriptions (Some people entered the room), and general statements (Most people enjoy going outside in spring).
Hope this helps!
Your American friend |
15 Mar 2009
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