lead the children

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead the children" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to guiding or directing children in various contexts, such as education, activities, or events. Example: "The teacher will lead the children on a nature walk to explore the local wildlife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Only then did she lead the children out to safety.

Independent

Once they've flown off, the grown-ups lead the children away, and then pile up the corpses in one place.

The Guardian - Books

At dinner, the parents would lead the children — Bill and his sisters, Kristi and Libby — in discussions of current affairs.

The New Yorker

"Like Moses," he writes in his memoir of the trip, "12,000 Miles in the Nick of Time: A Semi-Dysfunctional Family Circumnavigathisthe Globe" (published this month by Grove Atlantic), "I would lead the children from pop bondage.

The New York Times

Ordered to lead the children, in a big way, these adults come up empty and befuddled.

Huffington Post

None have hidden agendas, such as World Vision's quest to lead the children in their care to Jesus, as the personal savoir.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

UNICEF will continue to lead the WASH and nutrition clusters, co-lead the education cluster with Save the Children, and lead the child protection sub-cluster, ensuring coordinated assessment, response and information management.

Unicef

The first person appointed to lead the child abuse inquiry - Baroness Butler-Sloss - stepped down in July.

BBC

Over- expecting may lead the child to feel like he can't measure up and lower his self-esteem.

Huffington Post

Special Instructions - Do not lead the child.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Family accommodation may lead the child to believe that OCD behavior is reasonable and acceptable.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lead the children" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose and destination of the guidance. For example, specify where they are being led to, or what activity they are being led in.

Common error

Don't use "lead the children" without specifying the 'how'. Instead of "He led the children", try "He led the children through the forest", providing clear direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead the children" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "lead" is the verb indicating guidance or direction, and "the children" is the direct object. This phrase often describes the act of guiding a group of children. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lead the children" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies guiding or directing children. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. Its frequency is categorized as common, appearing predominantly in news, business and formal contexts. While versatile, clarity is key: specifying the 'how' and 'where' enhances its effectiveness. Alternatives like "guide the kids" or "escort the youngsters" offer nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guide the kids

Replaces "children" with the more informal term "kids".

escort the youngsters

Substitutes "lead" with "escort" and "children" with "youngsters", implying a more formal and protective guidance.

shepherd the little ones

Uses "shepherd" as a metaphor for leading and protecting, and "little ones" for "children".

direct the minors

Replaces "lead" with "direct" and "children" with the more formal term "minors".

take charge of the kids

Shifts the focus to assuming responsibility rather than simply guiding.

supervise the children

Emphasizes oversight and responsibility.

manage the youngsters

Implies control and organization.

oversee the minors

Highlights a supervisory role.

guide the youth

Replaces "children" with the term "youth", suitable in contexts where the children are older.

mentor the children

Focuses on providing guidance and support for development.

FAQs

What does "lead the children" mean?

The phrase "lead the children" refers to guiding, directing, or escorting a group of children, often to a specific location or through a particular activity.

What are some alternatives to "lead the children"?

You can use alternatives like "guide the kids", "escort the youngsters", or "shepherd the little ones", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lead the children" in formal writing?

Yes, "lead the children" is appropriate in formal writing, but consider using more formal alternatives like "direct the minors" or "supervise the children" if the context requires a higher degree of formality.

Can "lead the children" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "lead the children" can be used metaphorically to describe guiding or influencing the younger generation in a particular direction, such as leading them towards certain values or beliefs.