offspring

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "offspring" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the children that are born to a particular person or couple. For example, "The couple welcomed their first offspring in April."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The presenter asked why childless couples should be asked to fund other people's offspring.

The Guardian - Opinion

Back at home meanwhile they had just got planning permission to turn the garage beside their humble two-up-two down semi in Finglas into a games room for the kids which would be equipped with the latest plasma 36" TV screens, full-size pool table, sofa beds for sleepovers, fridges, microwaves and all the other mod cons to keep their offspring happy and out of mum and dad's hair.

The Guardian

So crowded with offspring was the family portrait that the former Pennsylvania senator even carried one infant on his shoulders.

The Guardian

The respective offspring have been given a noticeably high profile by the competing campaigns.

The Guardian

Although the internet itself is 30, its most celebrated offspring - the world wide web - is barely five years old as a mass phenomenon.

The Guardian - Tech

Or is there an underlying evolutionary drive whereby sex outside a relationship could potentially give you more offspring if you are a man, or better-quality children if you're a woman?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those of us who have a normal relationship with teenage offspring long ago gave up commenting on what they choose to wear.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the sheep and fleece pavilion at the Royal Easter show, the offspring of two old bloodlines met face to face.

The Guardian

It will be devoted to news and pictures of celebrity mothers and their offspring.

The Guardian

The only evidence, from unfaithful monogamous birds, is that such offspring are actually punier.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Forms of altruism are hardwired into all creatures who live in social groups, in the same way that deep evolutionary instincts drive parents to quite extreme behaviour to ensure the survival of their offspring.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "offspring" when a more formal or scientific tone is desired, especially when discussing plants or animals. In everyday conversation, "children" is more common.

Common error

Avoid using "offspring" when you mean "offshoot". "Offspring" refers to descendants, while "offshoot" refers to something that originates or develops from something else, like a branch of a company or a new idea.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "offspring" is as a noun. It denotes descendants or children, often used in a biological or formal context. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse scenarios, affirming its role in specifying lineage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

15%

Business

12%

Less common in

Film

9%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "offspring" functions primarily as a noun, denoting descendants or children, often within formal or scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While it's a very common term, understanding its formality level is crucial; it's generally more appropriate for news, academic, or business settings than casual conversation. Common errors include confusing it with "offshoot", which has a different meaning. Remember, "offspring" refers to descendants, while "offshoot" refers to something that originates from something else. Top sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

descendants

Refers to individuals who are related to a person or group of people who lived in the past.

progeny

A more formal term for descendants, especially in the context of genetics or breeding.

children

The most common and general term for someone's sons and daughters.

issue

A formal term referring to one's direct descendants.

young ones

An informal term for children, especially in animal contexts.

inheritors

Highlights the role of descendants as those who receive something from their ancestors.

future generations

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of descendants as those who will come after.

biological children

Specifies that the children are related by blood, rather than adopted.

family line

Focuses on the lineage or ancestry of a person or group.

seed

A biblical reference to descendants, implying continuation and growth.

FAQs

How to use "offspring" in a sentence?

"Offspring" can be used to refer to children, descendants, or progeny, especially in formal or scientific contexts. For example, "The study examined the health of the offspring of smokers."

What can I say instead of "offspring"?

You can use alternatives like "children", "descendants", "progeny", or "issue" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "offspring" or "off spring"?

"Offspring" is the correct spelling. "Off spring" is not a recognized term and should not be used.

What's the difference between "offspring" and "offshoot"?

"Offspring" refers to descendants or children, while "offshoot" refers to something that originates or develops from something else, like a branch of a company or a new idea. They are not interchangeable.