descendants

USAGE SUMMARY

“descendants” is a correct and usable word in written English.
You might use it when referring to the people who are descended from a particular ancestor or origin. For example, "The descendants of the Mayflower passengers are scattered all across the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Film

Lifestyle

Arts

Opinion

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 2000, when the first of what are now annual June long-weekend commemorations at Myall Creek took place, descendants of victims and killers united in an act of mutual apology and forgiveness.

The Guardian

Almost six centuries after most of them converted to Christianity, a rabbinical court has declared that descendants of a "lost tribe" from the Spanish island of Mallorca can once more be considered Jews.

The Guardian

The decision to recognise their descendants comes as another step in the hunt to recover what have been called the "lost" or "hidden" Jews.

The Guardian

The ruling does not affect the descendants of other Jews who remained in Spain rather than joining the Sephardic communities formed in other countries after the expulsion.

The Guardian

OnYong's descendants believe the sugar bowl remains in a private Canberra collection; the purported collector has never returned my calls.

The Guardian

Taking to the stage to introduce his new film, The Descendants, at the mayor's gala, the maker of Sideways and Election sported a bright blue suit — how else should you dress to outshine George Clooney?

The Guardian - Film

Now, after a year of deliberations, the descendants of those original Rockefellers had decided the time had come to move away from oil.

The Guardian

Rachel's hope is that in Glory she has rehabilitated a man who seemed a rather unglamorous footnote and given him his true weight in her family history: in May, she says, about 180 of his descendants are gathering to celebrate and reclaim him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Today's Chuetas are descendants of Jews who are considered to have been forcibly converted in the early 15th century, decades before Spain formally expelled its Jews in 1492.

The Guardian

The heavy of credible American cinema (as well as dad of Laura) takes his first serious starring role in years in Nebraska, Alexander Payne's follow-up to The Descendants.

The Guardian - Film

The island has no roads, cars, electricity or running water, but it does have more than 900 inhabitants, mostly descendants of freed slaves who settled the island in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about family history or genealogy, use "descendants" to accurately refer to individuals who come from a specific ancestor or group. For example, "The "descendants" of Queen Victoria are spread across Europe".

Common error

Avoid using "descendants" when you mean "ancestors". "Descendants" are those who come after, while "ancestors" are those who came before. Incorrect: "My "descendants" came from Ireland." Correct: "My ancestors came from Ireland".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "descendants" is a plural noun, referring to individuals related to a common ancestor. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various sentence structures, denoting lineage or origin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Travel

4%

Film

4%

Less common in

Lifestyle

4%

Arts

4%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "descendants" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed plural noun, signifying individuals who originate from a shared ancestor. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various writing styles, particularly in discussions related to family history, genealogy, and inheritance. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it effectively conveys lineage and intergenerational connections, as showcased by the numerous real-world examples provided. When writing, remember to use "descendants" to accurately describe those who come after a specific ancestor, avoiding confusion with "ancestors", who came before.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offspring

Refers more broadly to the immediate progeny or young of a parent.

progeny

A more formal term for offspring or descendants, often used in biological contexts.

heirs

Specifically refers to those who are entitled to inherit property or titles.

successors

Denotes those who follow or take over a position or role, not necessarily related by blood.

posterity

Refers to all future generations.

future generations

Explicitly denotes generations to come.

lineage

Emphasizes the ancestral line or heritage.

seed

A biblical or archaic term for descendants.

issue

A legal term for children or offspring.

children

The most direct and common term for immediate offspring.

FAQs

How to use "descendants" in a sentence?

You can use "descendants" to refer to people who are related to someone who lived a long time ago, or to the offspring of something. For example, "The museum holds artifacts belonging to the "descendants" of ancient emperors."

What can I say instead of "descendants"?

You can use alternatives like "offspring", "progeny", or "heirs" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "descendants" or "descendents"?

"Descendants" is the correct spelling. "Descendents" is a misspelling.

What's the difference between "descendants" and "ancestors"?

"Descendants" are the people who come after a particular ancestor, while "ancestors" are the people who came before.