Hello! I'm an expert in the field of linguistics and language usage. Let's dive into the intriguing question of whether "person" should be pluralized as "persons" or "people."

The English language has a rich and complex history, and its rules of grammar and usage have evolved over time. When it comes to the plural form of "person," there's a fascinating story to tell.

Step 1: English Answer

In traditional English grammar, the normal plural of "person" was indeed "persons," as in the phrase "two persons were present." This usage is rooted in the language's historical development, where "person" comes from the Latin "persona," which in turn was derived from "per" (through) and "sonare" (to sound), reflecting the original theatrical use of the term to denote a character in a play.

However, as language evolves, so do its conventions. During the Victorian era, there was a shift in the perception of how to pluralize "person." A pseudo-rule emerged that suggested a distinction in usage: "persons" should be used when referring to a specific, countable number of individuals, while "people" should be used when the number is large or indefinite.

This distinction, however, is not universally accepted and can be seen as a matter of style rather than a strict grammatical rule. In everyday English, "people" is often used as the plural form of "person," regardless of the number of individuals being referred to. This is especially true in American English, where "people" is the preferred term in most contexts.

The use of "persons" as a plural is less common and can sometimes carry a formal or legalistic connotation. For example, in legal documents or formal reports, you might still encounter phrases like "three persons of interest" or "several persons were questioned."

It's also worth noting that the term "people" has a broader and more collective sense. It can refer to a group of individuals as a whole, often with an emphasis on their collective identity or characteristics. This is why "people" is often used when discussing nations, ethnic groups, or communities.

In summary, while "persons" is the traditional plural form of "person," "people" has become the more common term in everyday usage. The distinction between the two is not always clear-cut and can depend on the context, the writer's or speaker's preference, and the region where the language is spoken.

Step 2: Divider

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The normal plural of person was persons, as in --two persons were present--. ... This began to be questioned in Victorian times, and the pseudo-rule grew up that the plural of person is persons when a specific, countable number of individuals is meant, but that people should be used when the number is large or indefinite.Jul 19, 1997read more >>