naughty children

USAGE SUMMARY

"naughty children" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe those children who are mischievous or disobedient. For example: "The teacher scolded the naughty children for being disruptive in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And what about the naughty children?

The New York Times

How dare he talk to us like naughty children?

The Guardian

"The way Bilderberg hide is stupid, like naughty children".

The Guardian

Naughty children will finally be tamed by forcing parents to sign agreements to make them behave.

The Economist

But isn't this how you deal with naughty children, rather than complex industrial negotiations?

The Economist

IN BRITAIN it is the bogeyman that comes to take away naughty children.

The Economist

"To judge and say that they are naughty children is just unfair.

Independent

"It was less, 'Quiet please,' because that sounded like we were treating them as naughty children.

The New York Times - Sports

Like naughty children, when they are told not to do something, they do it even more".

The Guardian

This should stop the all-controlling local government secretary, Eric Pickles, treating them like naughty children.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Lan Dhan T-Shàtain," Murdo replies, an affectionate Gaelic phrase islanders use to describe naughty children.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. Use "naughty children" when referring to mild misbehavior. For more serious misbehavior, use stronger terms like "delinquent" or "unruly".

Common error

While "naughty" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise terms like "disobedient", "unruly", or "badly behaved" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "naughty children" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "naughty" modifies the noun "children". It describes a group of children characterized by their misbehavior. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing behaviors from mild mischief to more serious infractions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "naughty children" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe children who are misbehaving, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its grammatical function is straightforward—an adjective modifying a noun—its register ranges from neutral to informal. As highlighted by the examples, it is frequently found in news and media. When precision is important, such as in professional documents or academic writing, more formal terms such as "disobedient" or "unruly" children may be considered. The use of "naughty children" implies a mild form of misbehavior, and if the transgression is more serious it is advisable to use alternative phrases, such as "bad children".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misbehaving kids

This alternative replaces "naughty" with "misbehaving" and "children" with "kids", offering a more informal tone.

badly behaved children

This alternative uses a more formal and descriptive phrase to convey the same meaning.

unruly children

This alternative emphasizes the lack of control and discipline in the children's behavior.

disobedient children

This alternative focuses specifically on the children's failure to follow rules or instructions.

wayward children

This suggests that the children have strayed from the correct path or expected behavior.

ill-mannered children

This alternative highlights their poor etiquette and social skills.

troublesome children

This alternative describes children who cause problems or difficulties.

difficult children

This suggests that the children are challenging to manage or deal with.

spoiled brats

This alternative is more derogatory, suggesting that the children's behavior is due to excessive pampering.

rebellious youngsters

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of defiance and opposition to authority.

FAQs

How can I use "naughty children" in a sentence?

You can use "naughty children" to describe kids who are misbehaving or disobedient. For example, "The teacher had to scold the "naughty children" for throwing paper airplanes in class."

What are some alternatives to "naughty children"?

Some alternatives include "misbehaving kids", "badly behaved children", or "unruly children", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "naughty children" in formal writing?

While understandable, "naughty children" may be perceived as informal in professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "disobedient children" or "badly behaved children" for a more serious tone.

What's the difference between "naughty children" and "bad children"?

"Naughty children" generally implies a milder form of misbehavior or mischief, while "bad children" suggests more serious or malicious actions. The choice depends on the severity of the behavior you're describing.