children
Children is the plural form of 'child,' referring to more than one young human being below the age of adulthood. It is used to describe a person's offspring or a group of young people in general.
Examples
3 of 5The children are playing with their toys in the living room.
The children are playing with their toys in the living room.
The policy was designed to protect the rights of all children.
The policy was designed to protect the rights of all children.
I'll pick up the children from the park after they finish their snack.
I'll pick up the children from the park after they finish their snack.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'ren' in children as standing for 'Running Every Night'—because groups of children love to run around!
Quick Quiz
The ________ are waiting for the school bus at the corner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: children
Examples
The children are playing with their toys in the living room.
everydayThe children are playing with their toys in the living room.
The policy was designed to protect the rights of all children.
formalThe policy was designed to protect the rights of all children.
I'll pick up the children from the park after they finish their snack.
informalI'll pick up the children from the park after they finish their snack.
Research indicates that children learn languages faster than adults.
academicResearch indicates that children learn languages faster than adults.
The corporation offers comprehensive health insurance for employees' children.
businessThe corporation offers comprehensive health insurance for employees' children.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
child's play
something that is very easy to do
inner child
a person's supposed youthful or innocent spirit
with child
an old-fashioned way to say a woman is pregnant
Often Confused With
Childs is a common mistake; children is the only correct plural form of child.
Kids is informal, while children is neutral and appropriate for formal writing.
Usage Notes
Use 'children' when referring to a group of young people or when talking about someone's sons and daughters regardless of age in a family context.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is adding an 's' to make 'childrens' or 'childs'. Always remember that children is already plural.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'ren' in children as standing for 'Running Every Night'—because groups of children love to run around!
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'cildru', which was the plural of 'cild'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking countries, the legal definition of children usually includes anyone under the age of 18.
Quick Quiz
The ________ are waiting for the school bus at the corner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: children
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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