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 #2 (permalink) Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:23 am I'm baffled by persons |
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There's no rule as to when to say "people" and when to say "persons", but I'd say that you can use "persons" in an official homicide report, but that you should use "people" everywhere else.
Here is what the Oxford American Dictionary says about it:
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| The words people and persons can both be used as the plural of person, but they are not used in exactly the same way. People is by far the more common of the two words and is used in most ordinary contexts: : a group of people ;: there were only about ten people ;: several thousand people have been rehoused. Persons, on the other hand, tends now to be restricted to official or formal contexts, as in : this vehicle is authorized to carry twenty persons ;: no persons admitted without a pass. In some contexts, persons, by pointing to the individual, may sound less friendly than people:: the number should not be disclosed to any unauthorized persons. |
I would add that there are people who abuse the word "persons" in ordinary speech to make themselves sound important. These are people who also use the word "myself" instead of "I" or "me" and say "at this particular point in time" instead of saying "right now". |
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Jamie (K)
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| #3 (permalink) Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:34 am I'm baffled by persons |
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Hi,
Another thought on the word 'person' It can be used also in a jocular way as in: Who is this person you keep talking about? Are we ever going to meet with reference to someone who is talked about a lot. It can also be used in a derogatory or slightly snobbish way as in: There is a person to see you, Sir. He calls himself Smith
Alan
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Alan
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| #4 (permalink) Sun Mar 23, 2008 18:48 pm I'm baffled by persons |
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| Thanks Jamie for the Oxford dictionary quote, it was very enlightening and your remarks cleared up a baffling point for me. Alan as always your remarks are relevent to the times. -Belles |
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Belles1654
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| #5 (permalink) Tue Nov 10, 2009 0:39 am persons vs people |
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Which pone should we use:
It's one of the most interesting persons I've ever met.
It's one of the most interesting people I've ever met.
When should we use persons?  |
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 Carvalho
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| #6 (permalink) Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:42 am persons vs people |
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| People is right here. Persons is right or wrong depending on whom you ask; but it is at least ugly. I avoid "persons" entirely. Usually "people" or "those (who)" will do. |
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Cerberus™
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| #7 (permalink) Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:32 am persons vs. people |
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There would be some cases that we must use "persons" instead of "people" which some English experts told me before but I could not recall my mind! Would someone list out them? Thanks...
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Hieupt
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| #8 (permalink) Tue Nov 10, 2009 7:32 am persons vs. people |
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You will often find the word 'persons' in official document such as police reports.
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