family

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "family" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing relationships, support systems, or groups of related individuals. Example: "Family is important to me, and I cherish the time spent with my loved ones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My family.

The Guardian

"But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them home".

The Guardian

"This is unacceptable and distressing to those who lost friends and family.

The Guardian

A statement released on behalf of his family said: "It is with great sadness and an enormous sense of shock that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy.

The Guardian

We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days.

The Guardian

He acknowledged that the no campaign needed to appeal to the heart as well as the head but argued the big question is what impact separation would have on family finances and whether Scottish people would be able to afford the NHS and pensions.

The Guardian

He would simply give every family a tax exemption of $100,000, which would eliminate the income tax for 90 percent of those now filing returns.

The New York Times

A family.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has no family history of heart disease.

The Economist

But that's still a long way from turning these jobs into the kind of employment that can support a middle-class family.

The Economist

I've got family.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "family", consider the specific type of relationship you want to emphasize (e.g., immediate, extended, chosen) to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "family" as a catch-all term for any close-knit group. Specify the nature of the relationship (e.g., "close friends", "team members") to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The word "family" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across contexts. Examples in Ludwig show its use to denote both immediate and extended kin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "family" is a very common and grammatically correct noun used to describe relationships and social units. Ludwig confirms its consistent usage across various contexts. It's essential to consider the specific type of relationship when using "family" to ensure clarity. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in personal, legal, and societal discussions. The most authoritative sources that frequently employ this word are The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate family

Specifies the closest family members, such as parents, siblings, and children.

relatives

Refers specifically to individuals connected by blood, marriage, or adoption, emphasizing the biological or legal relationship.

extended family

Includes a broader range of relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

kin

A more general term for relatives, often used in formal or historical contexts.

next of kin

Refers to the closest relatives, typically with legal implications, such as inheritance or medical decisions.

blood relatives

Highlights the genetic connection between family members.

household

Emphasizes the group of people living together in the same residence, regardless of their familial relationship.

domestic partners

Focuses on a cohabiting couple, implying a familial bond without necessarily involving marriage or blood relation.

ancestors

Refers to past generations of family members, emphasizing lineage and heritage.

descendants

Focuses on future generations, emphasizing the continuation of the family line.

FAQs

How can I use "family" in a sentence?

You can use "family" to refer to a group of related people, as in, "My "family" lives in another city." You can also use it to describe something suitable for all ages, such as "This is a "family restaurant"".

What are some alternatives to the word "family"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "family" include "relatives", "kin", "household", "next of kin", or "immediate family".

Is it correct to use "family" as an adjective?

Yes, "family" can be used as an adjective, such as in "family values" or ""family restaurant"", to describe something related to or suitable for families.

What is the difference between "family" and "household"?

"Family" typically refers to a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption, while "household" refers to all the people who live together in the same residence, regardless of whether they are related.