Persons/ People

[Gość: enormouslyconfused]

I'm seriuosly confused... I've heard that >person< is uncountable so how come
people (?) use sometimes plural version >that is persons< instead of
>people< ??? Can't get it... Can somebody explain it to me ?

[gwendal]

The word "person" is definitely countable but it has two plural forms i.e.
"people" and "persons". We use the form "people" in most everyday contexts. The
more regular plural, "persons" has a more restricted use, in that it is confined
mainly to official or legal statements or public notices.

Gwendal

[Gość: Yorick]

I'd say not so much uncountable as inherently plural.
But not that it can't be singular, either :) -
one people - many peoples (plemię - plemiona).
rgdz

[gwendal]

The original question was about the (un)countability of the word "person" NOT
"people". The word "people" is a different story ...

Gwendal

[Gość: Yorick]

You've got me :). I set about correcting people :) without even reading he
posts carefully - my fault.
rgdz