it is children

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is children" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used in specific contexts, such as when identifying or clarifying a subject, but it typically requires additional context or modification to be grammatically correct. Example: "When asked who was making the noise, I replied, 'It is children playing outside.'"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is children who have suffered".

Independent

Sometimes it is children with physical disabilities; other times it is children with behavior problems who are not being included in mainstream classroom activities.

The New York Times

"It is children they scare, not grown women, and I am a grown woman now.

Independent

Robb would have us believe it is children who are out of control, not staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

As with Submarine, it is children who are the heart of the story in Moonrise Kingdom.

The Guardian - Film

"After school, it is children who we are serving at that time.

The New York Times

"It is children who are saying 'We are not getting good education', that the quality is going down.

The Guardian

It is children who are saying they need to be free from violence and abuse and exploitation.

The Guardian

Yet, other studies show the exact opposite and suggest that it is children with siblings who are better off in terms of academic and social development.

Independent

Cut an adult's housing benefit as rents rise and social housing is abandoned and it is children who end up sleeping in cramped B&Bs.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Without a doubt, the Tories' pre-election rhetoric on childcare has failed to match reality and it is children, parents and our economy that will pay the price".

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "it is children" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "they are children" or "these are children" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

Do not use "it is" with a plural noun like "children". "It is" is for singular nouns, whereas "they are" or "these are" is for plural nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a subject complement, aiming to identify or emphasize a particular group. However, it is grammatically flawed. Ludwig AI points out its incorrect usage in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

37%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "it is children" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The phrase attempts to emphasize the role of children, yet its flawed construction undermines clarity. Correct alternatives, such as "they are children" or "these are children", offer grammatically sound options. Although used in contexts ranging from news to formal reports, prioritizing grammatical accuracy enhances communication and credibility. In summary, avoid "it is children" and opt for grammatically correct alternatives for clearer expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are children

Replaces "it is" with the correct plural pronoun and verb conjugation.

these are children

Uses "these" to specify a group of children, improving grammatical structure.

the children are

Emphasizes a specific group of children as the subject.

those are children

Uses "those" to refer a group of children, improving grammatical structure.

children are the ones

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the children as the subject.

children are

Shortened form focusing on children as the subject

it's the children

Uses a contraction, but still grammatically incorrect

the kids are

Uses a different term for children for a more casual register

it is the kids

Uses a different term for children for a more casual register but maintains the incorrect structure

the youngsters are

Employs a synonym to replace children, altering the lexical choice.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it is children"?

The grammatically correct alternatives include "they are children" or "these are children", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it is children"?

While generally incorrect, "it is children" might appear in informal speech or writing. However, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives in most situations.

What can I say instead of "it is children" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "the children are" or simply "children are" for a more natural and grammatically sound sentence.

Why is "it is children" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase uses the singular pronoun "it" with the plural noun "children". The correct form requires a plural pronoun and verb conjugation, such as "they are children" or "these are children".