have kids

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have kids" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of becoming a parent or having children. Example: "Many couples decide to have kids after they feel financially stable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have kids?

The New York Times - Travel

Or have kids.

The New Yorker

I don't have kids.

The New York Times

And I have kids!

The New Yorker

We have kids.

Independent

They have kids.

The New Yorker

I have kids.

The New York Times - Arts

You can't have kids".

Independent

They don't have kids.

The New Yorker

Does she have kids?

The New York Times - Magazine

We don't have kids".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have kids" in contexts where the focus is on the act of becoming a parent, rather than the ongoing responsibilities of raising children. Consider alternatives like "raise children" when emphasizing the nurturing aspect.

Common error

While "have kids" is acceptable in many situations, avoid it in highly formal or professional settings where more precise language like "start a family" or "raise children" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have kids" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of becoming a parent or having children. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have kids" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe the act of becoming a parent. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, consider the formality of your setting; more formal alternatives like "raise children" or "start a family" may be preferable in professional or academic contexts. To prevent overuse or misapplication, be mindful that "have kids" focuses on the act of becoming a parent, while other phrases emphasize the ongoing responsibilities of raising children.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a family

Focuses on the beginning of family life, rather than just having children.

raise children

Emphasizes the nurturing and upbringing aspect of having kids.

bring up children

Similar to raise children, but slightly more British English.

rear a family

Similar to raise a family but sounds slightly old-fashioned.

become parents

Highlights the transition into parenthood.

conceive a child

Focuses on the act of becoming pregnant.

give birth

Emphasizes the act of childbirth.

adopt a child

Refers specifically to adoption as a means of having children.

have offspring

A more formal term for having children.

procreate

A biological term for producing offspring.

FAQs

What does it mean to "have kids"?

To "have kids" means to become a parent and have children, either biologically or through adoption.

What's a more formal way to say "have kids"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "start a family" or "raise children".

Is it correct to say "having kids"?

Yes, "having kids" is grammatically correct and commonly used. For example, "They are considering having kids next year."

What are some alternatives to "have kids" that emphasize different aspects of parenthood?

Alternatives include "become parents" (emphasizing the transition) and "bring up children" (emphasizing the upbringing).