boys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "boys" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to male children or young males, often in informal contexts. Example: "The boys are playing soccer in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She wasn't there to play wives and girlfriends in the boys' scenes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Should Macclesfield make it to the fourth round for only the second time in their history and get paired away from home in a televised match against one of the Premier League big boys, it would be the equivalent of a lottery win.

The Guardian - Sport

There have been persistent claims from boys abused at Kincora and human rights organisations that military intelligence and the RUC knew about the rape of children in care but used the information to blackmail the paedophiles, forcing them to spy on fellow loyalists.

The Guardian

The next home secretary must include the Kincora boys' home scandal in the Westminster paedophile inquiry, according to a leading politician in east Belfast, where the abuse took place.

The Guardian

"The secret service would be best served by a transformative and dynamic leader from outside the agency," he concluded, describing such a leader as "someone with a fresh perspective, free from allegiances and without ties to what has consistently been described as a 'good old boys network'".

The Guardian

Because of its entirely exclusive focus on female victims, it seems unlikely that any of these new funds will reach the thousands of men and boys who suffer from this kind of abuse.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, she adds, "we do know of many cases of men and boys being raped".

The Guardian

I suggest this book to boys who need something to relate to.

The Guardian

"In [the] Teso region in the past, even in very rich families, people only cared about educating boys," he told me.

The Guardian

The existence of the evidence, gathered at the crime scene, was never disclosed either to the boys' defence teams or to the district attorney prosecuting the case.

The Guardian

When appointed literary executor, Clapp was instructed by Carter simply to "make money for my boys" (her son and her second husband Mark Pearce).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boys" in contexts where informality and familiarity are appropriate. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "young men" or "male children."

Common error

Avoid using "boys" when referring to a group of mixed genders. Instead, use terms like "children", "young people", or "students" to be more inclusive.

Linguistic Context

The word "boys" functions primarily as a plural noun, referring to multiple male children or young males. Ludwig confirms that this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boys" is a very common and grammatically correct plural noun used to refer to male children or young males. As per Ludwig, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While predominantly neutral to informal, more formal alternatives like "young men" or "male children" might be preferred in academic or business settings. When using "boys", it's important to avoid overgeneralization and ensure inclusivity by using appropriate alternatives when referring to mixed-gender groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

young men

More formal alternative referring to adolescent or young adult males.

male children

A more formal and literal term for young males.

lads

Informal term, often used in British English, similar to "boys".

youngsters

A general term for young people, not exclusively male.

youths

A more formal term for young people, often used in legal contexts.

male adolescents

Technical and formal term referring to teenage males.

young fellows

An older, somewhat antiquated term for young men.

male youths

Formal alternative, sometimes used in statistical or demographic contexts.

young chaps

Informal British English term for young men.

male youngsters

General term that can apply to young males of any age.

FAQs

How to use "boys" in a sentence?

You can use "boys" to refer to a group of male children, such as: "The boys are playing in the park." It can also refer to a team or group of young men, as in: "The "boys' team" won the championship."

What can I say instead of "boys"?

You can use alternatives like "young men" for a more formal tone, or "lads" in informal British English. Other options include "male children" or "youths", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "boys" or "male children"?

"Boys" is generally used in informal contexts, while "male children" is more formal. The choice depends on the setting and desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "boys" and "young men"?

"Boys" typically refers to younger males, usually pre-adolescent or early adolescent. "Young men" refers to adolescents and young adults. The distinction is based on age and maturity.