Guide 90 / 200 5 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “people”
Five sharper words for the crowd.
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"People" is vague. "Personnel" is institutional; "staff" is employees; "stakeholders" is who has a stake; "participants" is who is taking part; "individuals" is formal and neutral. Pick the word that names the role.
ii · The swaps5 ways
- 01Personnel formal
institutional — HR, military
Personnel are issued laptops on day one.
- 02Staff neutral
employees of an organisation
Staff will work from home on Friday.
- 03Stakeholders formal
anyone with interest in the outcome
Update all stakeholders before the launch.
- 04Participants neutral
those taking part in an activity
Participants will receive a follow-up survey.
- 05Individuals formal
specific persons, no group implied
Three individuals have requested an extension.