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People vs persons
People is the normal plural of person; persons is another plural, formal, that appears in notices and legal language.
Quick rule
Everyday talk and writing: people, with a plural verb. Persons is for notices and legal phrases.
The normal plural of person: more than one human being. It almost always takes a plural verb: people are.
A second plural of person, used in legal or official language: persons unknown, missing persons. In ordinary speech, people is used.
Why it trips people up
Person has two plurals. People is the everyday one, and persons is the formal one used in notices and laws. Both are correct, but they live in different places, so the choice is about register.
How each one works
People
many people + plural verb
Many people were waiting outside.
People say: it is said
People say the new cafe is great.
how many people: counting
How many people live in your building?
Persons
An official notice
Persons under 18 may not enter.
persons unknown: legal phrase
The police are looking for persons unknown.
persons present: people there
The lawyer asked for the names of all persons present.
What comes next
people plus are or were
People are waiting in line.
number plus people
Twelve people signed up for the class.
persons plus unknown
The notice asks for help finding persons unknown.
Set phrases
People
- people person
- someone who enjoys being with others
- people-watching
- watching strangers go by, for fun
Persons
- persons of interest
- people the police want to talk to about a crime
Almost the same
Five people were in the room.
The usual choice in speech.
Five persons were in the room.
Sounds like an official report.
In a conversation
- A:
How many people are coming to dinner on Sunday?
- B:
About twenty. Most people said yes.
- A:
Do we have enough chairs for all of them?
- B:
The hall sign says it holds fifty persons, so yes.
- A:
That sounds official. I would just say fifty people.
- B:
Me too, but signs always sound formal.
Common mistakes
Wrong: A people knocked at the door.
Right: A person knocked at the door.
People is plural. One human being is a person.
Wrong: The people was happy with the result.
Right: The people were happy with the result.
People takes a plural verb: were.
Memory trick
When you count humans with a verb, use people and a plural verb. Persons appears in fixed phrases and official notices.
It depends
- Persons as the formal plural
- Dictionaries give persons as the formal plural of person, common in legal text: persons unknown, missing persons.
- Peoples as a plural of nations
- A people can mean a nation or ethnic group, and then peoples is its plural: the peoples of the Pacific.
FAQ
People vs persons: which is correct?
Both are correct. People is the normal plural; persons is formal and used in laws and notices.
People or persons with disabilities?
Many style guides use people with disabilities, but persons with disabilities appears in legal text.
Is "people" singular or plural?
It is plural: people are. A people means a nation, and then it can be singular.