eight children

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eight children" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific number of children, often in contexts such as family size, demographics, or statistics. Example: "The family has eight children, each with their own unique personality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She had eight children.

The New York Times

Zahir fathered eight children.

The New York Times

"I had eight children.

The Guardian

Svetlana and Igor had eight children.

The Economist

His parents were teachers, with eight children.

The New Yorker

Of her eight children, four are unschooled.

The Economist

He had three wives and eight children.

The New York Times - Sports

You're the mother of eight children.

The New York Times

Speck was the seventh of eight children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Results: Fifty-eight children were successfully followed up.

The Journal of Pediatrics

Seventy-eight children died.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "eight children", ensure that the context clearly establishes who the children belong to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify "the family has eight children" or "she is a mother of eight children".

Common error

Avoid assuming "eight children" always refers to a single family. The context might involve statistics, multiple families, or separate groups of children. Clarify the scope to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eight children" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It is used to specify a quantity of children. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe family size or demographic statistics, supporting its function as a noun phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

16%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eight children" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote a specific number of offspring. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts such as news articles, scientific studies, encyclopedias, and wikis. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is primarily used to provide factual information or descriptions of family size. Analysis of source data reveals its prevalence in News & Media, followed by Science and Wiki sources. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability, reinforcing its appropriateness across various writing styles and communicative purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eight offspring

Replaces "children" with a more formal synonym, "offspring".

a family of eight kids

Uses "kids" instead of "children" and rephrases to emphasize the family unit.

eight siblings

Focuses on the sibling relationship within the group of children.

eight young ones

Employs a more informal and affectionate term, "young ones", for children.

a large family with eight members under the age of eighteen

Clarifies the age range and emphasizes the size of the family.

eight minors

Uses the legal term "minors" instead of "children".

eight dependents

Focuses on the aspect of dependency, relevant in contexts like taxes or social support.

a brood of eight

Employs a more figurative term, "brood", often used to describe a large family, can be interpreted negatively.

eight descendants

Uses "descendants" to emphasize lineage and ancestry.

eight issue

A legal term referring to lineal descendants.

FAQs

How can I use "eight children" in a sentence?

You can use "eight children" to describe a family size, for example, "The family has "eight children"" or "She is the mother of "eight children"".

What's a more formal way to say "eight children"?

A more formal alternative is "eight offspring", which is commonly used in legal or official contexts.

Is it better to say "eight children" or "a family with eight children"?

Both are correct. "Eight children" is more concise, while "a family with eight children" provides additional context about the family unit.

Can "eight children" refer to different families?

Yes, the phrase ""eight children"" can refer to children from different families, especially in statistical or general discussions. Context is key to understanding the scope.