This 25-Word Quiz Will Expose Whether You Actually Understand English Plurals

Two or more individuals. As does persons. They're right that persons is the plural of person. That was the question, not 'what is the commonly used term'.

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"The commonly used term" is the very definition of language. Language is not decided in the 1700s, or in ancient Roman Latin. It's decided on the streets. People is the plural because that's how it's used.

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The origins are irrelevant as language is defined by usage not origin. One book, two books. One person, two people. That's how plurals work. "Two persons" just isn't used in normal conversation.

The origins are very relevant. Language does alter through time but persons is still used. People is a word that means the same thing but is merely more popular. Nothing more. Doesn't make it the plural of a completely different word, that happens to mean the same thing.

That doesn't alter what the plural of a word is! It isn't based on what is commonly used!! Sure, we say people. That doesn't make people the plural of person. It makes it the commonly used word, nothing more.

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The commonly used word is the very definition of language! You are literally arguing semantics, not reality. Wittgenstein is rotating in his grave! A great example is the word "literally" which has become another word for "figuratively" or "metaphorically", because so many people were using it wrong. But now it's not wrong, It has become an additional meaning. You may not like it. It might be against your pedantic mindset, but "people" is the commonly used most approriate plural of "person" in common usage modern English.

It's the most commonly used plural but it is not the plural of person. That is the reality.