@aral I really hate to be that actually guy, but shouldn't...

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@aral I really hate to be that actually guy, but shouldn't it be "persons"? The word "people" refers to a single group of individuals.

Like 5 Nov 2022 at 11:57 | Wall-to-wall | Open on functional.cafe

4 comments

Sir Garbagetruck

@loke @aral

Not in the English that is used by people, daily, no.

5 Nov 2022 at 12:38 | Open on icosahedron.website

Elias Mårtenson

@Truck @aral thanks. I'm aware of the fact that people say that all the time (I even do so myself), but my point was that emphasising persons as opposed to people makes the original intent of the message stronger.

5 Nov 2022 at 14:04 | Open on functional.cafe

Jimmy Hartzell

@loke @aral I mean maybe this used to be true in an earlier form in English but all dictionaries nowadays say “people” is not just a singular noun for a people, but also the plural of person, and not just any plural but the more common plural, listed first. Sometimes words can both be the plural of another noun and a singular noun in their own right. Languages are allowed to be complicated.

5 Nov 2022 at 13:46 | Open on tech.lgbt

Jimmy Hartzell

@loke @aral to verify look up “person” in your favorite dictionary to see what it says the plural is🤓there’s two plurals! That’s also allowed!

And if you find yourself realizing you’re being an “actually guy” you should probably do a little research with actual reference materials rather than regurgitate stodgy talking points bc if you’re going to be an “actually” guy it pays to be right.

#grammar #dictionaries

5 Nov 2022 at 13:50 | Open on tech.lgbt