What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
folks
Example
Hey folks, how's everyone doing today? [folks: noun]
Example
My folks are coming over for dinner tonight. [folks: noun]
Example
Folks these days seem to be more interested in technology than ever before. [folks: noun]
people
Example
The people of this country deserve better healthcare. [people: noun]
Example
Young people are often more tech-savvy than older generations. [people: noun]
Example
I met some really interesting people at the conference last week. [people: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
People is more commonly used than folks in formal and written language, while folks is more common in informal and spoken language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between folks and people?
People is more formal and neutral than folks, which is more casual and friendly. Therefore, people is more appropriate for formal or professional contexts, while folks is better suited for informal or personal contexts.
