Are people a countable noun or not? Russian-speaking people speaking their native language almost never have to think about whether they use a countable or uncountable noun. Those who are just starting to learn English are even surprised by the very existence of such a classification. This topic is considered easy and is almost completely accessible to beginners. But only almost, because such lexical incidents, such as the word people, can make even a diligent and advanced student make mistakes. Moreover, it is difficult to understand whether this word is countable or uncountable. People, moreover, is a multi-valued concept, and the formation of the plural and the use of the verbs of the corresponding person and number depend on the meaning.
What is people: meaning of the word
This word has two meanings.
- People is the plural form for the noun person, which in translation means "person" or "personality". Accordingly, people are "people." For example: a lot of people - "many people", kind people - "good people", interesting person / people - "interesting person / people".
- People is a singular noun meaning "people." For example: Russian people - "Russian people", American people - "American people", people in this part of country - "people in this part of the country", my people - "my people".
Usually, foreigners studying English do not have problems understanding which of the two meanings. They are a bit similar, and most often the meaning is clear from the context. Therefore, to understand English, it is enough to simply know both meanings. But in order to correctly make sentences, you have to pay attention to grammar in both cases. Namely, to determine whether people are countable or uncountable.
People for People: Calculus
In order to come to the correct conclusion on your own, you should ask yourself the following question: is the noun person countable or uncountable? People is its plural form, so it obeys exactly the same rules, and calculus in this case is no exception. Person is a person. People can be counted. Therefore, in this sense, the word people will also be countable. This is a logical conclusion that does not require memorization. It is not difficult to come to him if it happens to forget. In addition, those who regularly practice writing sentences and texts in English develop a habit of knowingly considering people to be a countable noun.
People in the meaning of "people": grammar
Here are a few examples of how the fact that people is a countable noun in the plural is reflected in the grammatical structure of sentences:
| Example | Transfer | Explanation |
| There were so many people there! | There were so many people! | Many, not much. |
| There were few people in the room. | There were few people in the room. | Few, not little. |
| Sometimes people are cruel, but they also can be kind. | Sometimes people are cruel, but they can also be kind. | Are, not is. |
| If people were more positive, I would have more friends. | If people were more positive, I would have more friends. | Were, not was. |
| People love cute animals. | People love cute animals. | Love, not loves. |
These are far from all possible options, but on their basis one can understand the principle of using the noun people in a sentence.
People in the meaning of "people": calculus
The correct answer to the question "Is the noun people in English countable or not?" can be found independently, if, no matter how obvious, try to "count" it. There can be one people, there can be two, three or more. Therefore, in this case, the word people is also countable.
However, there are some differences. This value is not in vain under a separate heading in this article. Unlike people - "people", which originally stood in the plural, the word people - "people" can be deliberately put in this plural. For instance:
- There live some very conservative peoples here - "several very conservative peoples live here."
- This scientist speaks the languages of ancient peoples - "this scientist speaks the languages of ancient peoples."
Grammar in this case will also "work" differently.
People in the meaning of "people": grammar
It is also much easier to understand everything here with examples, but, among other things, noting the differences from people in the meaning of "people".
| Example | Transfer | Explanation |
| Many peoples were happy to accept this purposal. | Many nations will be happy to accept this offer. | Many, not much. |
| Few peoples remember this old legend. | Few peoples remember this old legend. | Few, not little. |
| This people is kind and has a great interesting history. | This people is kind, and it has a rich, interesting history. | Is and has, not are and have. |
| National values of these two peoples are always very similar. | The national values of these two peoples have always been similar. | Two peoples, not two people, as it would be if we were talking about two people. |
To summarize
So, after all the suggested examples and explanations to them, readers probably answered their question about whether people are a countable or uncountable noun. It is not difficult to come to the right conclusion on your own, but if it is easier for someone to learn something than to parse along a logical chain, you can summarize the above as follows:
- People in absolutely all cases is a countable noun.
- People in the meaning of "people" is a plural form of the noun person. In combination with it are used verbs in the form of a third person plural, as well as the words much and few.
- People in the meaning of "people" can be both singular and plural. This word and the verbs used with it are changed in accordance with the general rules.
At first glance, it might seem that this topic is quite easy. However, it is important to remember that even professionals sometimes make mistakes in using much / many and few / little and not neglect exceptions like people.