children does that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "children does that" is not correct in English.
It should be "children do that." You can use the corrected phrase when referring to actions or behaviors that children typically engage in. Example: "Children do that when they are excited about a new toy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Conversely, if she wants to work, and can find someone to care for her children, does that really mean Jodie Foster has to stop nattering on to People about her babies?

The New Yorker

If you have teenage children, does that dialogue sound familiar?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Could our children do that?

The Guardian - Books

Once you let children do that, the system has a self-correcting ability.

The New York Times

I'm scared to let my children do that, but I don't want to be".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My own children do that, forcing my husband's hand into mine when we're all together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those Russian men who are giving up on their children do that, she says, because they can get away with it.

The Economist

I said, "Does your mother have any idea you're bicycling over here in Times Square?" I can't imagine letting my children do that.

The New York Times

That is very bad and we can't let our children do that.'.

International Journal of STEM Education

The culture secretary said there were concerns about such young children doing that type of sport.

BBC

Learning continues to be defined as children's work, and power-assertive means are used to make children do that work.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct verb form "do" with the plural noun "children". Remember that "children" is already plural, so it takes a plural verb.

Common error

Avoid using "does" with plural nouns like "children". "Does" is used for singular subjects (e.g., "he", "she", "it", "child"), while "do" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "we", "you", "they", "children").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "children does that" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to describe a general action performed by children, but it uses the incorrect verb conjugation. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct form is "children do that."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "children does that" is an example of incorrect verb conjugation. As pointed out by Ludwig, the grammatically correct form is "children do that". The noun "children" is plural, thus requiring the plural verb form "do". This error, while present in some sources, detracts from the phrase's clarity and credibility. When writing or speaking, it's essential to ensure correct subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy. Using alternatives like "kids do that" or restructuring the sentence can also help to avoid this error. Always remember, accuracy is key for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

children do that

Corrects the grammatical error by using the proper verb conjugation with the plural noun "children".

kids do that

Replaces "children" with the more informal synonym "kids" while maintaining grammatical correctness.

youngsters do that

Uses "youngsters" as a synonym for "children", offering a slightly more formal alternative while retaining grammatical accuracy.

that's what children do

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the action typically performed by children.

that is typical of children

Focuses on the typicality of the action in relation to children's behavior.

children are known to do that

Highlights the established reputation or common knowledge associated with the action.

it's common for children to do that

Emphasizes the common occurrence of the action among children.

that's a child's behavior

Simplifies the sentence to describe the action as characteristic of a child's behavior.

children often act that way

Indicates the frequency with which children exhibit a particular behavior.

such behavior is characteristic of children

Highlights the typicality of the specified behavior for children.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "children does that"?

The grammatically correct way to express this idea is "children do that". The verb "do" should be used with the plural noun "children".

Can I use "kids" instead of "children" in the phrase?

Yes, "kids" is an informal synonym for "children". The corrected phrase would be "kids do that", which is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between saying "children do that" and "a child does that"?

"Children do that" refers to a behavior or action performed by children in general. "A child does that" refers to a behavior or action performed by one child.

Are there more formal ways to say "children do that"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "it is common for "children to do that"" or "such behavior is characteristic of children" for a more formal tone.