Understanding the Difference Between 'People' and 'Persons'
English can often be a tricky language to navigate, especially when dealing with nouns that can be used in subtle yet significant ways. One such pair of words that frequently cause confusion is 'people' and 'persons.' While both terms can refer to human beings, there are distinct nuances and uses for each one. In this article, we will explore the differences, focusing on their usage in various contexts and their implications.
What is the Difference?
The primary difference between 'people' and 'persons' lies in their collective or individual nature. 'People' is often used to describe an undifferentiated group of individuals, while 'persons' tends to emphasize the individuality and countability of the people in question.
Take for example, 'People' is used to describe a group of people who share a common ethnicity or context, such as 'the American people' or 'the people living in England.' In this case, 'people' is a collective noun, referring to a group as a whole. On the other hand, 'persons' often appears in legal or news-related contexts, such as a statement like 'Several persons were apprehended walking along the railway track.' Here, 'persons' highlights the individuality and countability of the individuals involved.
Usage in Legal and News Contexts
'Persons' is frequently used in news-related or legal contexts where identities and individuality are emphasized. For instance, in a case where the identities of the individuals are unknown, one might hear, 'A crime was committed by a person or persons unknown.' This phrasing underscores the countability and individuality of the unknown individuals involved.
A contrast can be seen in formal legal documents where precision is crucial. For example, 'More than 12 persons on this elevator at one time is prohibited' uses 'persons' to emphasize the specific and countable number of individuals. This is different from 'There were so many people at her wedding,' where 'people' is used in a more general, collective sense to describe a large gathering of people without emphasizing their individuality or countability.
Distinction and Usage Guidelines
Over the years, many usage guides have suggested that there is a clear distinction between these two words. Generally, 'people' is used when referring to a collective group or an indeterminate number of individuals, while 'persons' serves better when referring to individuals or a number of individuals. Traditionally, 'persons' was the correct plural form of 'person,' but 'people' has become widely accepted as such, especially in informal contexts.
One rule that is sometimes used is to use 'persons' if the number of people is countable, and 'people' otherwise. However, this is generally only used in formal and legal contexts where precision is required. In casual or informal usage, the choice between the two might be more fluid.
Understanding and correctly using 'people' and 'persons' can enhance clarity and precision in your writing. Whether you are drafting legal documents or composing a news article, choosing the right term can make your writing more effective and clear to your readers.