little ducklings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little ducklings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to young ducks, often in a cute or endearing context, or metaphorically to describe small, innocent, or vulnerable individuals. Example: "The park was filled with little ducklings waddling behind their mother as they made their way to the pond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Little ducklings.

The Guardian - Film

Five little ducklings.

The New Yorker

Then they can try their own wings: Ms. Forsythe will teach them the rippling arm movements that turn even little ducklings into swans.

The New York Times - Arts

By Morris Bishop The New Yorker, August 26 , 1950 P. 26Five little ducklings View Article By Kathryn Schulz By Adam Davidson By Robin Wright By John Cassidy.

The New Yorker

So we gave the bikes back and explored the shoreline on foot, skimming pebbles, playing on rope swings and searching for twelve little ducklings that were partial to egg sandwiches.

The Guardian - Travel

I adore my orphan ducklings I have a small box of them in our study, with a heat lamp to keep them warm and a dish of water which the little ducklings fling themselves in and out of like a pond.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"When you're declassified, you're the ugly little duckling," Mr. Despagne said.

The New York Times

In the piece, a little duckling leaves behind gender- based notions of what it means to be a man or a woman and is transformed into a beautiful "pato" or duckling.

The New York Times

"If the tax evasion problem no longer becomes about Switzerland but is instead really seen as a worldwide issue, that could be a blessing in disguise, because Switzerland would no longer stand out as the ugly little duckling that it has been portrayed to be," said Christian Lüscher, a lawyer and member of the Swiss Parliament.

The New York Times

But at the moment, Edwin feels a little less than the sum of his parts, likely unsurprising for anyone who's ever jumped on board a hardware startup early on, but with the addition of a few missing pieces, the little duckling just might transform into a rubbery swan.

TechCrunch

It was too much for one little duckling, she thought.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little ducklings" to evoke a sense of cuteness and vulnerability, especially when describing a scene or narrative involving young ducks. Consider the context to determine if "little" is the most appropriate adjective, or if a synonym like "young" or "small" would be more fitting.

Common error

Avoid using "little ducklings" in formal or academic writing where a more neutral or scientific term like "ducklings" or "young ducks" would be more appropriate. The adjective "little" can sometimes be perceived as overly sentimental in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little ducklings" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "little" modifies the noun "ducklings". It is used to describe young ducks, often emphasizing their small size and cuteness as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little ducklings" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, commonly found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and general usability. Analysis reveals its function as a noun phrase, designed to evoke endearment when describing young ducks. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid "little ducklings" in highly formal settings, where more neutral terms like "young ducks" may be more suitable. Alternatives such as "baby ducklings" or "young ducklings" can also be considered, based on context. As such, "little ducklings" serves as a cute descriptive term with broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

baby ducklings

Replaces the adjective "little" with "baby", emphasizing the young age of the ducks.

young ducklings

Uses "young" instead of "little" to specify the age of the ducklings.

small ducklings

Employs "small" as a synonym for "little", focusing on their size.

tiny ducklings

Replaces "little" with "tiny" to highlight their very small size.

cute ducklings

Adds an adjective "cute" to describe the ducklings with more endearing tone.

precious ducklings

Replaces "little" with "precious" implying endearment and value.

newborn ducklings

Uses "newborn" to specifically indicate recently hatched ducklings.

fluffy ducklings

Adds "fluffy" to describe the texture of the ducklings' feathers.

adorable ducklings

Substitutes "little" with "adorable" to highlight their charming appearance.

infant ducklings

Uses "infant" to denote the early stage of development of the ducklings.

FAQs

How can I use "little ducklings" in a sentence?

You can use "little ducklings" to describe young ducks, often emphasizing their small size and cuteness. For example: "The pond was filled with "little ducklings" following their mother."

What are some alternatives to saying "little ducklings"?

Alternatives include "baby ducklings", "young ducklings", or simply "ducklings", depending on the desired level of detail and tone.

Is it correct to say "small ducklings" instead of "little ducklings"?

Yes, "small ducklings" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both "small" and "little" can be used to describe the size of the ducklings, with "little" often carrying a slightly more endearing connotation.

When should I use "ducklings" instead of "little ducklings"?

Use "ducklings" when the context already implies that you are referring to young ducks, or when the size is not a key aspect of the description. "Little ducklings" is best when you want to emphasize their small size or evoke a sense of endearment.