guardians

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'guardians' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to people who take care of someone or something, especially young people or animals. Example sentence: The guardians of the orphanage looked after the children with great care.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Marvel hired a pair of high-profile female screenwriters, Guardians of the Galaxy's Nicole Perlman and Inside Out's Meg LeFauve, to oversee the new film earlier this week.

The Guardian - Film

Over the summer, under the gaze of their guardians, the harriers raised nine chicks, four of which were named by local schoolchildren: Sky, Hope, Highlander and Burt.

The Guardian

Thor: The Dark World will be released on 30 October, followed by Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians Of The Galaxy next year, with Joss Whedon's The Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Edgar Wright's long-awaited Ant-Man scheduled for 2015.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The architects of the cyber-attack, who call themselves Guardians of Peace, have demanded Sony can The Interview or face further unspecified consequences.

The Guardian - Film

A few stalls in the lanes sell basics, at inflated prices because of the cost of bribing their guardians.

The Guardian

This suggests Cameron is planning to follow the example of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, who inflicted four successive general election defeats on Labour by portraying the Tories as the guardians of aspiration and by depicting Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock as leftwing threats to economic stability.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

According to Yuseff Hamm, president of the NYPD Guardians Association,a black officers' fraternal group, pot arrests are inherently unfair because black and brown pot users often don't have backyards to smoke a joint in.

The Guardian

Disqualified from standing by the Council of Guardians, a hardline watchdog body, his status as a candidate was restored on May 24th, thanks to the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who told the council to revise its decision to bar him and a second, less well-known, reformist.

The Economist

The Council of Guardians, a conservative body of six clerics and six jurists, can veto laws it deems un-Islamic or unconstitutional and in the past it has stretched these definitions in the interest of the conservatives.

The Economist

Nor did parliamentarians gain much earlier this month, when they bravely refused to ratify appointments to the Council of Guardians; the supreme leader simply took the matter out of their hands.Which is the right approach to reform?

The Economist

And with public opinion behind them, they are likely to succeed over the coming four years in changing some of Iran's constitutional checks and balances.One of the first items on the review list will be the role of the Council of Guardians, the body of conservative clerics and jurists that supervises elections and screens candidates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the noun is plural when referring to multiple entities fulfilling a guardianship role.

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "guardian" when referring to a group or collective. Ensure your verb agreement reflects the plurality of the subject, e.g., "The guardians are responsible for ensuring safety," not "The guardians is responsible."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "guardians" is as a plural noun. It typically refers to individuals or entities who are entrusted with the care, protection, or oversight of someone or something. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from legal "legal guardians" to metaphorical guardians of values.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "guardians" functions as a plural noun referring to those entrusted with care or protection. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct. The term is most commonly found in News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting its role in discussions of legal responsibility and oversight. When writing, be sure to use the plural form correctly and to choose synonyms like "protectors" or "custodians" thoughtfully to match the specific meaning you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protectors

Focuses on the act of defending from harm.

defenders

Stresses the act of actively preventing attack or damage.

keepers

Emphasizes the role of maintaining or preserving something.

stewards

Emphasizes responsible management and caretaking.

custodians

Highlights the responsibility of managing and safeguarding.

preservers

Focuses on maintaining the original state or condition.

wardens

Implies a more official or regulatory oversight.

overseers

Indicates a position of supervision and control.

minders

Suggests close supervision and personal care.

chaperones

Specifically refers to supervising a group, often young people.

FAQs

How can I use "guardians" in a sentence?

You can use "guardians" to refer to people who protect or take care of someone or something. For example, "The child's "legal guardians" made decisions about their education".

What's the difference between "guardians" and "protectors"?

"Guardians" implies a formal responsibility for care and oversight, whereas "protectors" generally refers to those who defend against harm. A "guardian" may also be a "protector", but the terms are not entirely interchangeable.

What are some synonyms for "guardians"?

Synonyms for "guardians" include "keepers", "custodians", and "defenders". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuances you wish to convey.

When should I use "guardians" instead of "parents"?

Use "guardians" when referring to individuals who have legal responsibility for a child but may not be their "biological parents". This term encompasses foster parents, adoptive parents, or court-appointed caregivers.