Peter
Do you know many persons/people in this town? Which one is correct persons or people?or they are the same?
Jul 24, 2020 10:56 AM
Answers · 7
3
Good question Peter. As a native speaker and English teacher I would say people. For the plural of person we usaully say people. Sometimes we see the word persons, but this is usaully in a legal context.
July 24, 2020
2
Technically, the plural of "person" is "persons". The word "people" actually refers to a group or class of persons. But in everyday use, 99.9% of English speakers use "people" for the plural of "person". "Persons" has become a very formal word, and as others have said, you'll only find it in legal documents and other formal texts.
July 24, 2020
1
And to add to the complication, you could also say: "Do you know anyone in this town?"
July 24, 2020
Thanks :)
July 24, 2020
"People " is your first choice, usually. "Persons" is reserverd more for a few set phrases ("persons unknown") and sometimes for legal use. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/person-persons-or-people
July 24, 2020
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