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Blossom
Joined: 30 May 2005
Posts: 291
Location: Beijing China
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 Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject: Persons -- people |
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In the lift (elevator) in my apartment block there is a sign saying �Ten persons only.
On the news recently I heard the announcer say, �The police are looking for four persons who they would like to interview.�
When do you use the word �people?�
Should the notice say, �Ten people only?� Should the police look for four people?
We say �The people of China are shorter than those in America.� Why do we not say the persons of China?
Can anyone help me, please. |
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pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 2295
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 4:25 am Post subject: |
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The primary meaning of person is an individual human being, so it is used in legal documents and regulations. The regulations concerning elevators probably require the elevator to have a notice saying how many "persons" it is licensed to carry.
In everyday speech we would rarely use person, except in the singular, I think.
The police could be looking for 4 people and the elevator could carry ten people. That is how most people would say it. |
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