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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > People vs. Persons (+ interesting article)
People vs. Persons (+ interesting article)
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frenchfrog
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People vs. Persons (+ interesting article)
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I am correcting some tests and some of my students wrote "I have booked a table for 5 people" while others wrote "I have booked a table for 5 persons".
My question is: should I consider the second answer acceptable? It is probably not a big mistake, but I would like to have the opinions of native speakers!
I know that "persons" is to be found in formal and legal contexts (ex: This taxi is licensed to hold four persons). But it can also be used to emphasize that each member of a group is being considered as an individual (ex: Eight persons shared a single room). These examples are taken from the following article (a very interesting analysis!):
What would you advise me to do? Thanks for your help!
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21 Mar 2009
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frenchfrog
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What did you think of the article? |
21 Mar 2009
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eng789
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As an "authentic" speaker, I like the sound of people better. I wouldn �t mark it wrong - but I would suggest that "people � is a better option. |
21 Mar 2009
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frenchfrog
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You really liked it when I spoke about authenticity, didn�t you?!!
Thanks for your answer! |
21 Mar 2009
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gloriawpai
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frenchfrog,
When I lived in the US, I used to see at the beginning of a carpool lane, a sign written "3 persons" and I �d wondered why...
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21 Mar 2009
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genzianella
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Frenchfrog, I �m not a native speaker but I �d say that we �re just splitting hairs her because I believe both are correct! Ciao |
21 Mar 2009
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arkel
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I read the article and found it very interesting. I �ve put the page in my favourites. To me �persons � sounds archaic and I associate it with legal terminology. People sounds better in the situation you speak of frenchfrog:) Rosemary |
21 Mar 2009
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**********
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French Frog,
�Persons� is definitely wrong. We shouldn�t consider this form correct.
�Persons" can�t be used except for in juridical and criminal contexts.
According to Burchfield, the plural form persons is slowly retreating, and people is now widely used in whatever circumstance we need the plural of person.
Have fun!
IJorge |
21 Mar 2009
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douglas
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Sorry,
I disagree with IJorge.
You can use either people or persons as you desire--both are correct. Definately do NOT mark your students wrong for it.
(native speaker) |
21 Mar 2009
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