obedient child

USAGE SUMMARY

'obedient child' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a child who is compliant and follows instructions. For example: "The teacher praised the parents for raising such an obedient child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It no doubt considers Macau an obedient child.

The Economist

But other measures may yield an obedient child.

The New York Times

I choked down that first Valium like an obedient child, and I slept.

The New York Times

Where's the fun in reading about a good and obedient child?

The New York Times - Books

Although he was an obedient child, Rufus Wainwright was no Boy Scout.

The New York Times - Style

Khadr was not the black sheep; he seems to have been a tragically, disastrously obedient child.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Others, like the obedient children in the classroom, are modelled on members of her extended family.

The Guardian

"Show your thoughts!" "Bite your lip!" "Die!" Like obedient children, they do as they are told.

The New York Times

Making children feel like savvy consumers rather than obedient children is a simple strategy to help them make better decisions.

Cornell University

Dietrich had an older sister, Riefenstahl a younger brother, both of whom were the "obedient" children in the family and pleased their parents by following conventional paths.

The New Yorker

The obedient children with their identical backpacks then file back down to the North Korea Room to see images of "life under communism".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obedient child" when you want to emphasize the direct relationship between an authority's command and the child's action. It is particularly effective in narrative writing to establish character traits or in academic discussions about parenting styles.

Common error

Avoid using "obedient child" as a simple synonym for a quiet child. A child can be loud and energetic while still being obedient to specific safety rules or instructions. Ensure the context justifies the focus on authority rather than temperament.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obedient child" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "obedient" modifies the noun "child". According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in the subject or object position of a sentence to categorize an individual's behavioral patterns in relation to authority.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of "obedient child" reveals it to be a stable and widely accepted phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and versatile expression, appearing across prestigious publications like The New York Times and The Guardian. While it literally describes a child who follows instructions, it often carries deeper social connotations regarding parenting styles and cultural expectations. Writers should note that while it is technically a neutral description of behavior, modern usage sometimes contrasts it with concepts of independence or creativity. Overall, it remains the standard choice for describing compliance in youth across media, scientific, and academic registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compliant child

Carries a more clinical or psychological tone, often used in behavioral studies.

dutiful child

Emphasizes a sense of moral obligation or family responsibility over simple rule-following.

well behaved child

Focuses on the visible conduct and social etiquette of the child in public or social settings.

docile child

Suggests a quiet, passive nature that is easily led or managed by others.

submissive child

Implies a lack of agency or resistance, sometimes suggesting an imbalance of power.

disciplined child

Indicates that the child has internal control and follows a specific set of standards.

cooperative child

Highlights the child's willingness to work with others rather than just obeying orders.

tractable child

A more formal and rare term indicating the child is easy to control or influence.

respectful child

Shifts the focus from adherence to rules to the child's attitude toward authority figures.

amenable child

Suggests the child is open to suggestions or easily persuaded by parents or teachers.

FAQs

How do I use "obedient child" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a personality trait or a specific behavior, such as: "The teacher praised the parents for raising such an "obedient child" who followed every instruction."

What is a more formal term for "obedient child"?

In psychological or academic contexts, you might prefer "compliant child" or "tractable child" to describe the same trait.

Is "obedient child" always a positive description?

Not necessarily; while often used as praise, in some modern pedagogical contexts, it can be contrasted with an "autonomous child" to suggest a lack of critical thinking or independence.

What's the difference between an "obedient child" and a "well behaved child"?

An ""obedient child"" specifically follows orders and rules, whereas a "well behaved child" acts in a way that is socially acceptable, even without direct commands.