have children

USAGE SUMMARY

"have children" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone having children biologically, adopting children, or caring for children. Example Sentence: Many couples decide to have children after getting married.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or have children.

The New York Times

We have children.

The New York Times

She should have children.

The New Yorker

Would we have children?

The New Yorker

I have children.

The New York Times

"I don't have children.

The New York Times

She didn't have children.

The New Yorker

Many have children.

The New York Times

You have children.

The New Yorker

I forgot to have children".

The New Yorker

Tell them we have children".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, consider using a more specific alternative like "start a family" or "become parents" to convey a similar meaning with added nuance.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "have children" (the act of giving birth or adopting) with other uses of "having" followed by an abstract noun. For instance, "having issues" is different from "have children" and should be used in the correct context to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have children" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of becoming a parent, either biologically or through adoption. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its usage in both personal and societal discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have children" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe becoming a parent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, ranging from personal discussions to news reports. While alternatives like "start a family" or "raise a family" may be more suitable in formal settings, "have children" remains a straightforward and widely understood expression. Its frequency across diverse sources, as highlighted by Ludwig, underscores its versatility and relevance in contemporary language. Remember to consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a family

Highlights the beginning or creation of a family unit through having children.

raise a family

Focuses on the act of nurturing and bringing up children, emphasizing the family aspect.

bring up children

Highlights the act of raising and educating children.

become parents

Emphasizes the transition into parenthood and the responsibilities that come with it.

parent children

Highlights the active role of being a parent.

have offspring

A more biological and general term for producing children.

bear offspring

A more formal and biological way of saying "have children", suitable for scientific or technical contexts.

have a baby

Focuses on the specific event of giving birth to a child.

conceive a child

Refers to the act of becoming pregnant.

procreate

A formal and scientific term for reproduction.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "have children" in a sentence?

The phrase "have children" is generally used to describe the act of becoming a parent, either biologically or through adoption. For example: "Many couples dream of starting a family and "have children"."

Are there more formal alternatives to "have children"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "start a family" or "become parents".

Is it grammatically correct to say "having children" instead of "have children"?

While "having children" is grammatically correct as a gerund or part of a continuous tense, "have children" is generally used as the infinitive form to express the act or possibility of becoming a parent. For example, "They plan to "have children" soon".

What's the difference between "raise children" and "have children"?

"Have children" refers to the act of giving birth or adopting, while "raise children" refers to the process of nurturing and bringing up children. You first "have children", then you "raise children".