1. Legal and Formal Contexts:
* Legal documents: "Persons" is often used in legal documents, contracts, and statutes to emphasize the individual nature of each person involved.
* Example: "All persons entering the building must present a valid ID."
* Formal writing: "Persons" can also be used in formal writing, especially when discussing individuals in a specific context, like a group of experts or a specific category of people.
* Example: "The committee consisted of twelve persons with expertise in various fields."
2. Emphasizing Individuality:
* When you want to emphasize the distinct identity of each individual in a group: "Persons" can be used to highlight the unique character of each member, rather than treating them as a homogenous collective.
* Example: "The museum guide highlighted the contributions of the three persons who founded the organization."
3. When referring to specific groups with a specific meaning:
* "Persons of interest": This is a common legal phrase referring to individuals who are suspected of being involved in a crime or investigation.
* "Persons with disabilities": This phrasing emphasizes the individuality of people with disabilities rather than grouping them as a collective.
General Rule:
* "People" is the most common plural form of "person". It's appropriate in most everyday situations.
In summary:
* "Persons" is used mainly in legal and formal contexts, emphasizing individual identity or specific categories.
* "People" is used in most other situations, including casual conversation and general writing.