Does it really bug anbody besides me when someone says ' peoples' ?

Question

Or even, persons? I always thought people was the plural of person.

Answer 1

You may be responding to a MISUSE of these forms. But, in fact, "persons" and "peoples" are both perfectly proper plural forms, IF they are used in the right way.

In the most common use of these words, "people" acts as a plural form to a singular "person" -- "Only one person showed up." --> "Three people were there."

BUT in certain contexts, esp. in technical reports and legal language, the plural "persons" is preferred.
Examples:
"Alcohol Use by Persons Under the Legal Drinking Age of 21"
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k3/UnderageDrinking/UnderageDrinking.htm

"Agreements will state exactly which persons or groups within the University are entitled to use a work and for what purposes."
http://its.psu.edu/policies/digitalmedia/dmfaq.html#Q8

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As for "peoples" -- there is a use of "people" as a SINGULAR noun referring to a whole group that shares a nationality, culture, etc. When using this form, "peoples" is the correct plural form.

Ths use, as defined by Merriam-Webster - "a body of persons that are united by a common culture, tradition, or sense of kinship, that typically have common language, institutions, and beliefs, and that often constitute a politically organized group"
http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?people
compare:
"A body of persons sharing a common religion, culture, language, or inherited condition of life."
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=people

Thus "the peoples of Africa" is used to speak of various GROUPS (rather than the total number of people all lumped together)

This use of 'people(s)' is parallel to 'nation(s)' and 'tribe(s)'

Answer 2

people can also be singular, like it can mean, the body of enfranchised citizens of a state, or somethin like that, but i dont think you ever make the word people plural. and it really does annoy me. now, persons is better, it doesnt annoy me as much.

Answer 3

i know people and person is plural but people can talk however they want but it can be annoying

Answer 4

Well my sister says peoples and it does bother me but why should you be botherd by people saying peoples?

Answer 5

hey soo many peoples already answered this question
i thought that i will be the first persons to answer it

Answer 6

yeah its does sometimes!!
like when a person is like " ill be over there with my peoples!"
it can drive someone mad!!

Answer 7

YES, it bugs me.,but not for long. Just roll with it.

Answer 8

Yes. It also bothers me when someone says "ax" instead of "ask", and "I says" instead of "I said".

Runner-up: "like" and "ya know" used every other phrase.

Answer 9

i say that