parents to

USAGE SUMMARY

"parents to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, although it is not a complete sentence by itself.
You can use it to refer to a relationship between two people. For example, "John and Mary are parents to three children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A person expects his parents to die.

The New Yorker

Ms Smethurst urges parents to be attentive.

Independent

The woman told my parents to leave.

The New Yorker

"We do want parents to help.

The New York Times

We urged our parents to wait.

The New York Times

Aren't parents to blame?

The Guardian

Loving parents to Nava Rose.

The New York Times

"Grandparents to parents to cousins.

The New York Times

Nobody wants their parents to outlive them.

The Guardian - Opinion

He urges parents to be "playfully obstructive".

The New York Times - Magazine

Some centers also teach parents to read.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "parents to" to clearly indicate a parental relationship, especially when specifying roles or responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "parents to" when referring to other forms of caregiving that do not imply legal or biological parenthood; use alternatives like "caregivers of" or "guardians of" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parents to" primarily functions as a relational phrase, linking individuals in a parental relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by numerous examples demonstrating its role in indicating parenthood. For instance, "Loving parents to Nava Rose."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "parents to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a parental relationship. Ludwig AI validates its frequent usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While generally neutral in tone, it might be substituted with more formal alternatives like "legal guardians of" in professional settings. Be mindful of context to ensure accurate conveyance of parental roles and responsibilities. Using "parents to" helps clarify familial bonds, defining who the parents are in relation to their children.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mother and father to

Reverses the order and uses "to" instead of "of".

adoptive parents of

Specifies that the parental relationship is through adoption.

biological parents of

Specifies that the parental relationship is biological.

father and mother of

Explicitly specifies both parental roles.

legal caregivers for

Highlights the legal responsibility and care provided.

guardians of

Emphasizes the protective and caring role, suitable when legal guardianship is relevant.

those who parent

Focuses on the action of parenting rather than the title or relationship.

maternal figures of

Focuses on the maternal aspect and the role of being a figure or influence.

paternal figures of

Focuses on the paternal aspect and the role of being a figure or influence.

individuals responsible for

A more formal and general way to refer to those responsible for children.

FAQs

How can I use "parents to" in a sentence?

You can use "parents to" to describe the relationship between parents and their children. For example, "John and Mary are "parents to" three wonderful children".

What are some alternatives to "parents to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "mother and father to", "guardians of", or "legal caregivers for".

When is it appropriate to use "biological parents of" instead of "parents to"?

Use "biological parents of" to specifically indicate that the parental relationship is by birth, as opposed to adoption or other means. This is useful when clarifying lineage or genetic connections.

Is "parents to" formal or informal language?

"Parents to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal settings, "individuals responsible for" might be more appropriate.