persons vs. people

joenuts · #1 12-Jul-2006, 06:42

Is it true that 'people' is the correct plural form of 'person' (not 'persons')? A former student told me that their professor said so.

Oops, sorry. I didn't know this has been posted already.

**Tdol** · #2 12-Jul-2006, 08:28

Yes, it is. 'Persons' is used in legal documents and other areas, but normally we would say 'people'.

joenuts · #3 13-Jul-2006, 08:23

Incidentally, Strunk and White prefer/s 'persons' when it is preceded by a number, as in 'three persons'. He/They said if you take four out of five persons, you'd get one person (as opposed to 'one people' out of five). Are they being silly or purist?

Mister Micawber · #4 13-Jul-2006, 08:28

.
Somewhat purist, perhaps. I find that I generally prefer what Strunk & White prefer, however.
.

**Tdol** · #5 13-Jul-2006, 11:15

I'd take four out of five people. (Impurist)

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