as children

USAGE SUMMARY

"as children" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
You can use "as children" to refer to a time in someone's life when they were young or to describe a characteristic or behavior that is typical of children. Example: As children, my siblings and I would spend hours playing in the backyard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They met as children.

The New Yorker

As children, we get it.

The New Yorker

The couple met as children in Rye.

The New York Times

My father read to us as children.

Independent

As children, they did comedy routines together.

The New Yorker

As children we brought those trades together.

The New York Times

Brokers remained contentedly happy as children.

The New Yorker

They had both joined as children.

The New Yorker

As children we ate them growing up.

The New York Times

Many were abused as children.

The New York Times

Both were abused as children.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When starting a sentence with the phrase "as children", ensure the main clause clearly indicates what occurred or was true during that period. For example: "As children, we often played outside until dark."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing the phrase "as children" close to the subject it modifies. Incorrect: "As children, our house was always filled with laughter." Correct: "As children, we filled our house with laughter."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as children" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb in the main clause by indicating a time frame. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as children" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile adverbial phrase used to specify a period in the past. It is commonly found in various contexts, including news articles, scientific publications, and casual conversations. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct and widespread usage. When using "as children", pay attention to sentence structure to avoid misplaced modifiers, ensuring clarity in communication. Alternatives such as "when we were young" or "during our childhood" can be considered for stylistic variation. The high frequency and consistent application of this phrase underscore its importance in effectively conveying past experiences and formative influences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when we were young

A straightforward alternative emphasizing youth.

as youngsters

Replaces "children" with a synonym.

during our childhood

Specifies the period more explicitly.

from a young age

Focuses on the starting point of an experience or habit.

in our youth

A more poetic or general way to refer to childhood.

during childhood days

Adds emphasis and specifies a period.

in younger years

Highlights the earlier phase of life.

in our early lives

A more formal phrasing referencing the beginning of life.

in our formative years

Emphasizes the impact of childhood on development.

back in the day

An informal idiom referring to a time in the past, often childhood.

FAQs

How can I use "as children" in a sentence?

You can use "as children" to describe experiences, habits, or characteristics that were present during childhood. For instance, "As children, we loved visiting our grandparents' farm."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "as children"?

Some alternatives include "when we were young", "during our childhood", or "in our youth", depending on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "as children"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "as children", as long as the sentence structure clearly indicates what the subject did or experienced during that time.

What's the difference between "as children" and "like children"?

"As children" refers to the time when someone was a child, while "like children" means behaving in a manner similar to children, regardless of one's actual age.