Comments on: People versus Persons

By: Brooklyn_francis

Brooklyn_francis — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:17:32 +0000

I was reading a Wikipedia article on “Uncontrolled decompression” and I read this sentence: The term uncontrolled decompression here refers to the unplanned depressurisation of vessels that are occupied by people, for example an aircraft cabin at high altitude….

My mind immediately felt that “people” is the wrong word here, and that “persons” would be the correct one. (I have NEVER thought about the different usages of these words before). I think that my instinct said this because we use the word person in two ways: to denote an individual (e.g.,”He’s a nice person.”) and to denote our bodies (e.g., “I had the keys on my person all the while!”). The intersection of these usages suggests to me that the proper usage here would be persons.

By: Luz (Argentina)

Luz (Argentina) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:01:27 +0000

Thank you Daniel! Your explanation was very clear, mainly because of your description of the etymology of both words, which I found really useful and clarifying.

By: Rupert Tansley

Rupert Tansley — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:02:51 +0000

I do a lot of translations and I’m currently using “persons” in a document because it enhances the feeling of respect for the individuals in what could otherwise be seen as an amorphous group, in this case “disabled persons”. Thus we cover ourselves from being seen to regard “the disabled” as a faceless mass, but rather as a collection of individuals with rights and identities.

So I’m sorry to those people who feel that the plural of person is always people. You are and will always remain an amorphous mass of faceless individuals. Ha!

By: Papa Pat

Papa Pat — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:37:31 +0000

Some of the more “progressive” churches frown severely at the use of the word “people” in virtually any setting or context. They feel they must “affirm the personhood of all persons”, whatever that might mean (gag).

One person.
Two (or more) people.

Period

By: xanny (Q.C, Philippines)

xanny (Q.C, Philippines) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:18:30 +0000

Wow.. I think this explanation makes sense the most. There was a proposition that “persons” be used if the number was countable. But still I felt uncomfortable to use it when refering to a small group. I teach basic English to those who want to learn it as their second language and the grammar book that I use says that “persons” shouldn’t be used to refer to more than one individual (Basic Grammar in Use).. This is very enlightening. Thanks a lot!

“The question, therefore, is whether you are referring to individuals as SEPARATE ENTITIES or as a COLLECTIVE. That being said, we tend to use “people” in most cases as this is ACCEPTABLE in nearly EVERY SITUATION. Most people won’t mind, though a few persons might.