adults acting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adults acting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the behavior or actions of adults, often in a context where their behavior is being evaluated or compared to expectations. Example: "In this play, the theme revolves around adults acting like children, highlighting the absurdity of their situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Adults acting like children down at the Statehouse," she said, ringing up a customer's paper plates.

The New York Times

The all-star game is meant to be for children, not to be run by adults acting like them.

The Guardian - Sport

Education reform alone can't solve the problems that adults, acting like children, tend to sweep under the rug.

The New York Times

This seemed less an article about the shifting makeup of the modern family and more about adults acting like children.

The New York Times

Most often, adults acting children's roles don't seem childish at all, just retarded, and anyone who makes the attempt risks a quick alienation of an audience.

The New York Times

The Court makes the claim, again unsupported by any citations, that "[l]aws prohibiting sodomy do not seem to have been enforced against consenting adults acting in private".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Has he the nous to graduate into an adult acting career?

The Guardian - Film

I was a child actor and I hadn't appreciated that child acting is completely different from adult acting.

The Guardian - Money

We loved Matt Haig's article in defence of Zoe - finally an adult acting mature and considerate of other people's feelings.

The Guardian

TEANECK Jewish Center of Teaneck "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," musical thriller presented by the Black Box Studios' adult acting workshop.

The New York Times

I didn't want it to feel uncomfortable having an adult acting a child – it needed to be an adult who was still in touch with their inner child".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "adults acting", ensure the context clearly defines the type of behavior being described. Adding a modifier like "adults acting responsibly" or "adults acting childishly" can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "adults acting" without specifying the nature of their actions. Without context, the phrase is vague and doesn't convey any specific meaning. For instance, instead of just stating "adults acting", specify "adults acting in leadership roles" or "adults acting under pressure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adults acting" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. It describes the activity or behavior of adults, often in comparison to expected norms, as illustrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adults acting" is a versatile gerund phrase used to describe behaviors and actions of adults in various contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, appearing frequently in news, scientific articles, and general web content. The phrase can be used neutrally or with evaluative intent, depending on the context. To enhance clarity, specify the nature of the actions, such as ""adults acting" responsibly" or ""adults acting" childishly". Remember to avoid overgeneralizing the phrase without providing sufficient context for the type of behavior being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adults behaving

Replaces "acting" with "behaving", which is a general term for conduct.

grown-ups behaving

Replaces "adults" with "grown-ups" and "acting" with "behaving", offering a more informal tone.

adults playing roles

Substitutes "acting" with "playing roles", implying a theatrical or assumed behavior.

mature individuals performing

Substitutes "adults" with "mature individuals" and "acting" with "performing", suggesting a more formal and deliberate action.

adults functioning

Replaces "acting" with "functioning", implying a focus on capability and operational behavior.

adults taking action

Replaces "acting" with "taking action", emphasizing intentional steps or measures.

adults carrying out

Substitutes "acting" with "carrying out", which implies executing a task or responsibility.

adults executing

Replaces "acting" with "executing", which emphasizes a formal and precise performance.

adults in action

Replaces "acting" with "in action", focusing on the state of being active or engaged.

grown people operating

Combines "grown people" for "adults" with "operating" for "acting", indicating functionality or control.

FAQs

How can I use "adults acting" in a sentence?

You can use "adults acting" to describe behavior, for example, "The play explores the theme of "adults acting" like children" or "The article examines the consequences of "adults acting" irresponsibly".

What are some alternatives to "adults acting"?

Consider using phrases like "grown-ups behaving", "mature individuals performing", or "adults functioning" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to describe "adults acting"?

No, it's not inherently negative. The connotation depends on the context. "Adults acting responsibly" carries a positive meaning, while ""adults acting" selfishly" carries a negative one.

What's the difference between "adults acting" and "adults behaving"?

While similar, "acting" often implies a specific role or performance, whereas "behaving" refers to general conduct. Thus, ""adults acting"" might refer to performing in a play, while "adults behaving" refers to their overall conduct.