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Can you please clarify the relation and differences between these nouns?

For example, is it proper to use "persons" instead of "people"? Are they the same? As I believe that "people" is plural, how come there exists the plural of the plural (=peoples)? Does it have any usage?

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3 Answers 3

up vote 6 down vote accepted

The dreaded Elements of Style have this to say on this matter:


So at least in formal or technical discourse you might want to prefer "persons".

I have also observed that "persons" is generally and widely used in official documents, highway signs, etc. in Britain, Canada, and the U.S.

In informal contexts, however, "people" is probably preferable, especially as it will allow you to steer clear of the, er, people from all walks of life who will try to tell you that "persons" is not a valid word at all.

But as both your question and Strunk point out, you should avoid mixing them too much, because there is no exact correspondence between "person"/"persons" and "people"/"peoples".

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The difference between "people" and "peoples" has been answered here: People or peoples when referring to an indigenous population?

Persons would be used as a the plural of person when you are not referring to a group collectively but to a collection of individuals. For example, "Many people like ice cream," but "Corporations are considered persons under the U.S. Consitution."

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"Many persons like ice cream" used to be the correct usage traditionally, but this has change in modern times. –  Noldorin Sep 7 '10 at 21:06
@Noldorin: evidence for that statement? –  delete Sep 8 '10 at 0:02
@Ex-user: Etymonline supports this indirectly with: person early 13c., from O.Fr. persone "human being"; people late 13c., "humans, persons in general,"...Replaced native folk. –  Jon Purdy Oct 27 '10 at 15:12
I have always understood that there is a straightforward difference, as Doug points out. When you refer to any one person, "persons" is correct. "No entry to unauthorized people" would suggest, admittedly only to those trying to misunderstand perhaps, that individually an unauthorized person may enter, "No entry to unauthorized persons" relates to any individual unauthorized person. –  Matt Jan 16 '13 at 8:50
Thank you for the explanation. So, is statement: That was a four persons party. correct? If not, then what it should be? –  Surya Oct 7 '14 at 7:53

In British English at least, "persons" is generally considered a more formal word than "people", e.g. it is often used in formal announcements or notices.

"Persons wishing to carry on hand luggage should consult the steward beforehand"

See also Doug's answer for more considerations.

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Please don't ever use "persons" though as it's Pooterish. –  user774 Sep 7 '10 at 16:09
I'm from England, and I'm not familiar with the word being seen as "Pooterish" or bad in any way, just weirdly formal. –  Josh Feb 13 at 19:18

protected by tchrist Feb 22 at 0:23


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