children were chattering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "children were chattering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where children are talking excitedly or noisily, often in a playful manner. Example: "As the sun set, the children were chattering happily in the playground, their laughter echoing through the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Children were chattering.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His teeth were chattering.

The New Yorker

'My teeth were chattering.

The Guardian - Film

Everyone's teeth were chattering.

The New Yorker

There were chattering groups of writers, diplomats and professors.

The Economist

Recalling a walk with her father as a child, when she was chattering away to him, Carver says he told her not to talk because he was trying to think.

The Guardian - Books

Feminists are chattering about Obvious Child as a groundbreaking movie because it presents abortion without apology.

Huffington Post

Do you have to tell a small child what's happened, on the theory that her equally small classmates may be chattering about it on Monday, or might you just be creating an anxiety that never existed to begin with — making yours the child who begins the chattering?

The New York Times

Our teeth are chattering.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her teeth are chattering, too.

The New Yorker

Marian was chattering and running around the lab happily.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "children were chattering" to depict a lively and bustling atmosphere, especially when emphasizing the presence and activity of children in a scene.

Common error

Avoid using "children were chattering" repeatedly in a short passage. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "babbling", "prattling", or more descriptive phrases to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "children were chattering" functions as a descriptive element within a narrative. It provides information about the soundscape and activity level, painting a picture of a scene filled with the voices of children. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "children were chattering" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to depict a scene filled with the lively sounds of children talking. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase functions as a descriptive element that enhances narrative and conveys a sense of activity and excitement. While versatile, varying your descriptions with synonyms like "kids were babbling" or "children were prattling" can prevent repetition. The phrase is suitable for a range of contexts, as confirmed by various sources. In essence, it's a reliable tool for adding sensory detail and atmosphere to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

children were chatting

A more generic term, using "chatting" to describe the children's conversation.

kids were babbling

Replaces "chattering" with "babbling", emphasizing the indistinct nature of the sound.

children were prattling

Replaces "chattering" with "prattling", suggesting a light, foolish talk.

children were jabbering

Replaces "chattering" with "jabbering", highlighting rapid, excited speech.

children were speaking excitedly

Highlights the emotional tone of the children's speech.

children were gossiping

Replaces "chattering" with "gossiping", implying the sharing of secrets or rumors.

kids were talking noisily

Focuses on the volume of the children's conversation, using "noisily".

the children's voices filled the air

Shifts from the action to the effect of the children's speech on the surroundings.

a chorus of children's voices arose

Uses "chorus" to convey a collective sound of many voices.

the sound of children's voices echoed

Emphasizes the reverberating quality of the sound.

FAQs

What does "children were chattering" mean?

It describes a scene where children are talking quickly and excitedly, often creating a lively and somewhat noisy atmosphere.

What can I say instead of "children were chattering"?

You can use alternatives like "kids were babbling", "children were prattling", or "children were chatting" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "children were chattering" a formal or informal phrase?

It's generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might opt for slightly different wording depending on the specific nuance desired.

How can I use "children were chattering" in a sentence?

You can use it to set a scene, describe a setting, or add detail to a narrative. For example: "As the teacher entered the classroom, the "children were chattering" excitedly about the upcoming field trip."