child

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "child" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing age, family relationships, or developmental stages. Example: "The child played happily in the park, enjoying the sunny weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not an easy thing to have a missing child".

The Guardian

"Our new communications data legislation will strengthen our ability to disrupt terrorist plots, criminal networks and organised child grooming gangs, even as technology develops.

The Guardian

Eleven-year-old Haley Joel Osment's nomination for The Sixth Sense showed that the academy's weakness for child actors is alive and kicking, though he is far from the youngest ever.

The Guardian - Film

In all, 45 charges relate to one child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons and is known as "A", and four against a second girl, referred to as "B".

BBC

Earlier, a parenting campaigner named Margaret expressed a similar opinion: "If you can't provide for your child yourself, then wait 'til you can to have it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The "hollowing out" of the library service is catastrophic at a time when illiteracy costs the country £81bn a year and one child in three does not own a single book.

The Guardian - Books

Children make up a third of the fatalities – the equivalent of one child killed each hour over the previous two days.

The Guardian

Child and adolescent mental health referrals are accepted only if they have severe mental health difficulties; GPs are asked to manage the remaining patients, yet we are not trained in child psychiatry.

The Guardian

But Kearns said the court "is satisfied, in the circumstances of this case, that it is in the best interests of the unborn child; it should authorise at the discretion of the medical team the withdrawal of ongoing somatic support being provided in this tragic and unfortunate case".

The Guardian

All the medical experts who gave evidence in the case earlier this week said the chances of the unborn child surviving were minimal.

The Guardian

Taking the time to get it right will mean more peace of mind for you, and a better university experience for your child.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use "child" or "children". In informal settings, consider alternatives like "kid" or "youngster" for a more conversational tone.

Common error

Be mindful of gender-neutral language. Instead of assuming the gender of a hypothetical child, use "they" or rephrase the sentence to avoid gendered pronouns altogether.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "child" is as a noun. It refers to a young human being who has not yet reached adulthood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used in various contexts ranging from legal to personal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Lifestyle

16%

Books

8%

Less common in

Opinion

4%

Film

2%

Music

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "child" is a common and grammatically correct noun, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to refer to a young human being. It appears frequently in diverse contexts, notably News & Media, Lifestyle, and Books. While "child" itself carries a neutral tone, the register shifts with the context. The related terms such as "kid", "youngster", and "offspring", offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. When using "child", remember to avoid gender bias and prioritize privacy, especially in sensitive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kid

An informal and common term for a child.

youngster

Focuses on the youthfulness and immaturity of the person.

young person

A more general term applicable to adolescents as well.

infant

Specifically refers to a very young child or baby.

little one

A term of endearment for a child.

offspring

Emphasizes the parental relationship and lineage.

minor

Highlights the legal status of being under the age of majority.

juvenile

Often used in legal or formal contexts referring to young people.

progeny

Formal term indicating descendants or offspring.

descendant

Broader term referring to anyone who comes from a particular ancestor.

FAQs

How can I use "child" in a sentence?

The word "child" is versatile and can be used in various contexts. For instance, "The child played in the park" or "She is a child of the 1980s". Consider the specific meaning you want to convey when choosing your sentence structure.

What are some alternatives to the word "child"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "kid", "youngster", "minor", or "offspring". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "childs"?

No, "childs" is not grammatically correct. The plural form of "child" is "children", and the possessive form is "child's" (singular) or "children's" (plural).

What is the difference between "child" and "children"?

"Child" is the singular form, referring to one young person. "Children" is the plural form, referring to two or more young people. For example, "The child is playing" versus "The children are playing".