A1 noun Neutral #61 most common

people

/ˈpiːpl/

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

Examples

3 of 5
1

There are many people at the park today.

A large number of human beings are in the park today.

2

The committee represents the interests of all people in the region.

The group speaks for every individual human in the area.

3

Most people I know prefer coffee over tea.

The majority of individuals I am friends with like coffee more.

Word Family

Noun
people
Verb
people
Adjective
populous
Related
person
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'peep' hole: you use it to see the 'peep-le' outside your door.

Quick Quiz

How many ______ are coming to the dinner tonight?

Correct!

The correct answer is: people

Examples

1

There are many people at the park today.

everyday

A large number of human beings are in the park today.

2

The committee represents the interests of all people in the region.

formal

The group speaks for every individual human in the area.

3

Most people I know prefer coffee over tea.

informal

The majority of individuals I am friends with like coffee more.

4

The study observes how people react to social changes.

academic

The research looks at how human beings respond to changes in society.

5

We want to hire the best people for our company.

business

We want to employ the most talented individuals for our business.

Word Family

Noun
people
Verb
people
Adjective
populous
Related
person

Common Collocations

a lot of people many individuals
young people youth or teenagers
local people individuals living in a specific area
ordinary people regular or average citizens
group of people a gathering of individuals

Common Phrases

people person

someone who is very friendly and enjoys socializing

the common people

ordinary citizens rather than the elite

young people

children and young adults

Often Confused With

people vs persons

Persons is used in very formal or legal contexts, while people is the common plural.

people vs peoples

Peoples refers to multiple ethnic groups or nations, not just multiple individuals.

📝

Usage Notes

The word 'people' is treated as a plural noun and always takes a plural verb (e.g., 'people are', not 'people is'). It is the most common way to refer to more than one human being.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'peoples' when they mean the plural of person, or they accidentally use a singular verb like 'the people is happy'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'peep' hole: you use it to see the 'peep-le' outside your door.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French word 'pople', coming from the Latin 'populus' meaning a nation or a community.

Grammar Patterns

Irregular plural: 1 person -> 2 people Always followed by plural verb forms Used as a collective noun
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, using 'people' rather than 'persons' sounds warmer and more communal.

Quick Quiz

How many ______ are coming to the dinner tonight?

Correct!

The correct answer is: people

Related Phrases

Related Words

pale

A1

Describes something that has very little color or is much lighter than usual. It is often used to describe a person's face when they are ill or a color that is mixed with a lot of white.

lung

A1

The lungs are two organs inside your chest that you use to breathe. They bring oxygen into your body and remove carbon dioxide when you breathe out.

tropical

A1

Relating to the hot regions of the Earth near the equator. It describes weather that is very warm and wet, or plants and animals that come from these areas.

trader

A1

A trader is a person whose job is to buy and sell goods, stocks, or other items for profit. They can work in a small local market or on large international financial exchanges.

indoor

A1

Describes something that is located, happens, or is used inside a building rather than outside. It is an adjective used before a noun to talk about activities or objects protected from the weather.

threshold

A1

A threshold is the physical area at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter a room or building. It also refers to the level or point at which something starts to happen or changes.

tribute

A1

A tribute is something that you say, do, or give to show your respect and admiration for someone. It is often a public act used to honor a person's life, work, or memory.

elder

A1

Used to describe a person who is older than another, especially within a family. It is also used to refer to people who have a high status or more experience because of their age.

russian

A1

Relating to Russia, its people, its language, or its culture. It describes things that come from or are connected to the largest country in the world.

southeastern

A1

Located in or coming from the direction between south and east. It describes a place, a region, or a wind that is in the corner between the bottom and the right on a map.

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