children without siblings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "children without siblings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to children who do not have any brothers or sisters. Example: "In our study, we found that children without siblings often develop different social skills compared to those with siblings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Many children without siblings are drawn to adults and adult conversation because they are comfortable there.

The Washington Post

The result: children without siblings had just as many friends as children with siblings.

The New York Times

During the Great Depression, there were many of us, and Spring Glen Elementary School was eight grades of children without siblings.

The New Yorker

But while we tend to think that siblings teach one another conflict resolution and other interpersonal skills, new research says they are no better off socially than children without siblings.

The New York Times

Adult children without siblings to help share the burden of parental care (because they are only children, or because their siblings are unwilling or unable to help) can become especially resentful.

The New York Times

It is possible that, in Britain at least, the issue will resolve itself naturally, since both no-child and one-child families are becoming much more common: a record one-fifth of all women turning 50 in Britain in 2010 have no children, while the percentage of children without siblings was 26% in 2007, having steadily increased from 18% in 1972.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Given that about one in five American families now have just one child, this seems like a good time to question the misconceptions about only children and the dangers of raising a child without siblings.

The New York Times

Caucasian children with and without older siblings and Mainland Chinese children without older siblings were tested for their ability to discriminate adult and child Caucasian faces as well as adult and child Asian faces in both upright and inverted orientations.

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

Number of older siblings was not associated with risk of ALL in the overall age group of 0 14 year olds (Table 2), with odds ratios for ALL of 1.03 and 0.98 when comparing children with 1 and more older siblings respectively to the reference group of children without older siblings (p for trend  = 0.999).

Plosone

This is true for children without any siblings as well as virtual only children, those who are separated by seven or more years from their closest sibling.

Huffington Post

More than that, for the child traveling without siblings, it offered a day with peers from all parts of the country.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the experience of "children without siblings", avoid generalizations about their personality or social skills, as research shows varied outcomes.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "children without siblings" are automatically spoiled, lonely, or socially inept. These are outdated stereotypes, and individual experiences vary widely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "children without siblings" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific group of children based on their family structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and can be used effectively in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "children without siblings" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe children who do not have any brothers or sisters. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly usable. While often used interchangeably with "only children", it provides a more descriptive alternative. Ludwig's examples reveal that the phrase is frequently employed in news, scientific, and general contexts, often to discuss social skills, family dynamics, and research findings. It's crucial to avoid stereotypes when using this phrase. Related terms include "only children", "single children", and "children from single-child families". The frequency of this phrase is common, and sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Huffington Post commonly use it. This phrase is a valuable tool for discussing the experiences and characteristics of children without siblings in a variety of settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only children

This is the most common and direct synonym, emphasizing the absence of siblings.

children without any siblings

A slightly emphatic version of the original phrase.

single children

Focuses on the fact that there is only one child in the family.

children from single-child families

Highlights the family structure and its impact on the child.

children lacking siblings

Emphasizes the absence of siblings in a more formal tone.

children without brothers or sisters

A more explicit and literal alternative.

children in solo-child families

Focuses on the family unit having only one child, using the word "solo".

children who are only offspring

A formal alternative that focuses on the lineage.

children existing as singletons

Emphasizes that the child is existing in the world without siblings.

non-sibling children

A scientific or research-oriented alternative.

FAQs

Is it better to say "only child" or "child without siblings"?

"Only child" is generally more concise and commonly used. "Child without siblings" is a more descriptive alternative.

What are some common misconceptions about "children without siblings"?

Common misconceptions include the beliefs that "children without siblings" are always spoiled, lonely, or have difficulty sharing. Research suggests these are not necessarily true.

How do the social skills of "children without siblings" compare to those with siblings?

Research suggests that there are no significant differences in social skills between "children without siblings" and those with siblings. Some studies even indicate that "only children" may develop strong social skills through interactions with peers and adults.

Are there any advantages to being a "child without siblings"?

Some potential advantages include increased parental attention, more opportunities for independent learning and development, and reduced sibling rivalry. However, individual experiences vary.