Individuals are people

February 2, 2025 Check out STAT+

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By Torie Bosch First Opinion editor

When I'm editing a First Opinion, there are a few things I do reflexively: Try to make passive sentences active, add the serial comma, and, perhaps most importantly, change every mention of "individuals" or "persons" to "people." It's one of my pet peeves. I prefer First Opinion essays to be written informally, as though you, the reader, are having a thought-provoking conversation with a smart friend who is maybe (and justifiably!) monologuing a bit about their area of expertise. When I think about my conversations with smart friends, I can't hear any of them — even the most scholarly — saying "individuals" or "persons." The biggest problem with "individuals" or "persons" is that it's rather dehumanizing. It has a vaguely clinical feel. Consider "Individuals deserve quality health care" and "People deserve better health care." Which connects with you more? While I'm at it: If I'm not careful, every other First Opinion will end with the line "The time is now." If you catch a "The time is now" in a First Opinion, please email me to scold me. I will deserve it.

Recommendation of the week: I'm only partway through "Kids Run the Show" by Delphine de Vigan, a French novel about social media influencer families, but it's hugely compelling.

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