Can I use the word "persons"?

Question

I hope this is the correct place for my question. I didn't post in English learner site because it seems a more specific question. As everyone knows the plural of person is people, but I saw in a menu

Starter for 4 persons

I was sure about the error, but a friend told me that sometimes in menus and lists it can be used if there is a fixed number.

What is your opinion?

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 26 '14 at 16:29

The plural of person is not people, it is persons. That being said, however, it is not common to use persons except in certain cases. One case is your example, when specifying a particular number of persons. You could say "Starter for 4 persons" or "Starter for 4 people", although in the context of a restaurant menu, it would (in my opinion) be slightly less awkward-sounding to use persons rather than people. The word people is more of a collective. You would never say "The persons of the United Kingdom" but always "The people of the United Kingdom" when speaking collectively. But if being severely formal, you might say about a distinct group of people who hail from the UK: "All United Kingdom persons must check in with their consulate upon arrival." It would be awkward-sounding to use people in that sentence.

From Collins World English Dictionary (cited on Reference.com)

person (ˈpɜːs ə n) — n , pl persons

an individual human being

the body of a human being, sometimes including his or her clothing: guns hidden on his person

a grammatical category into which pronouns and forms of verbs are subdivided depending on whether they refer to the speaker, the person addressed, or some other individual, thing, etc

a human being or a corporation recognized in law as having certain rights and obligations

(philosophy) a being characterized by consciousness, rationality, and a moral sense, and traditionally thought of as consisting of both a body and a mind or soul

(archaic) a character or role; guise

in person - (a) actually present: the author will be there in person ; (b) without the help or intervention of others

Usage "People" is the word usually used to refer to more than one individual: there were a hundred people at the reception. "Persons" is rarely used, except in official English: several persons were interviewed

Personages can be used if you want to be extra severely formal: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/personage — Wayfaring Stranger, Mar 26 '14 at 19:06

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 26 '14 at 16:15

3

The plural of person is people or persons (more formal). The usage in the menu is certainly correct.

answered Mar 26 '14 at 16:15

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Aug 03 '18 at 20:33

1

There is no basis for asserting persons is better formal English than people. The Oxford notes its use in formal settings but, unlike Merriam-Webster, does not advocate it:

...Persons, on the other hand, tends now to be restricted to official or formal contexts, as in this vehicle is authorized to carry twenty persons; no persons admitted without a pass.

(Oxford)

edited Aug 03 '18 at 20:33

Arm the good guys in America

521

answered Aug 03 '18 at 17:49

Paul Herbert Wiggins

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1

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Where in M-W is that mentioned? Do you have a link? – Mitch Aug 03 '18 at 18:01
@Mitch the answer is quoting the Oxford and Ive edited the answer – Arm the good guys in America Aug 03 '18 at 20:34
@user OK, I misunderstood. But Paul still refers to M-W, so it would be nice to have a link there. Paul, could you please provide it? – Mitch Aug 03 '18 at 20:36
@Mitch I think the better thing to do is vote this q as a duplicate. See my comment to the OP. – Arm the good guys in America Aug 03 '18 at 20:42
@user You should VTC that way then – Mitch Aug 03 '18 at 22:06

Can I use the word "persons"?

3 Answers3