reasonable child

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable child" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing the expectations or behavior of a child in a legal, educational, or psychological setting. For example, "The court considered what a reasonable child would understand in that situation." Alternative expressions include "rational child" and "sensible child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's all any reasonable child can expect if the dad is present at the conception," Ed says dismissively.

The New York Times

"A parent's presence alone does not give a reasonable child carte blanche to engage in risky behavior such as running across a street," the judge wrote.

The New York Times

Writing for the 5-to-4 majority, Justice Sonia Sotomayor explained that "children cannot be viewed simply as miniature adults" and said "a reasonable child subjected to police questioning will sometimes feel pressured to submit when a reasonable adult would feel free to go".

The New York Times

The additives in the juice were "no more than what you would expect in a reasonable child's diet," says Warner.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In order for ECCE professionals to provide children with sound development and learning environments, they have to be well trained and supported through resources, reasonable child-staff ratios, peer support and continuous professional development opportunities.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Since in the future this approach should be used in a long-term birth cohort, testing the feasibility of recording symptoms and parental bio sampling appeared most reasonable for children in the age group of 1 to 3 years because these children experience the most infections.

BMC Infectious Diseases

It is reasonable that children spend Mother's Day with their mother.

Huffington Post

Parents' concerns are reasonable because children born preterm at a gestational age of less than 37 weeks are at increased risk of subsequent adverse outcomes in various aspects of development [ 6- 8].

BMC Nursing

Have reasonable expectations: your child is really still a baby.

WikiHow

A 2-year-old who takes something, she said, is probably going to be described as not being good at sharing, rather than as a thief, at least by a parent with a reasonable sense of child development.

The New York Times - Health

The solution working its way through Congress, though more reasonable than No Child Left Behind, threatens to leave many poor and minority students in schools that middle-class parents would never accept for their children.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical standards related to minors, use "reasonable child" to refer to the hypothetical standard a child of similar age and intelligence would meet.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonable child" to set unrealistic behavioral standards for all children, as developmental stages vary greatly. Focus on age-appropriate expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable child" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "reasonable" modifies the noun "child". It describes a child who meets a certain standard of behavior or understanding, often used in legal or ethical discussions. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonable child" is a grammatically sound term used to define a standard of behavior or understanding expected of a child, particularly in legal and ethical contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively infrequent, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and wiki sources. Alternative phrases, such as ""sensible child"" or "responsible child", might be more suitable for everyday conversation. It's essential to avoid overgeneralizing expectations when using this term, recognizing that developmental stages vary among children. The phrase's communicative purpose is to establish a benchmark for evaluating a child's actions, while its register leans towards neutral and formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensible child

Emphasizes the child's good sense and practical judgment.

responsible child

Highlights the child's reliability and accountability.

rational child

Focuses on the child's capacity for logical thinking.

well-behaved child

Stresses the child's adherence to accepted standards of conduct.

prudent child

Indicates the child's careful and wise decision-making.

understanding child

Highlights the child's capacity for empathy and comprehension.

thoughtful child

Emphasizes the child's considerate and reflective nature.

balanced child

Focuses on emotional and mental equilibrium

compliant child

Refers to the child's willingness to obey or follow instructions.

mature child

Indicates that the child demonstrates a level of emotional or intellectual development that is beyond what is typical for their age.

FAQs

How can I use the term "reasonable child" in a legal context?

In law, "reasonable child" often refers to a hypothetical child of similar age, intelligence, and experience. It helps determine negligence or understanding in specific situations. For example, the court might ask if a "sensible child" would have understood the risks involved.

What's a good alternative to "reasonable child" in everyday conversation?

Depending on the specific context, you could use phrases like ""sensible child"", "responsible child", or "well-behaved child". These alternatives convey similar meanings but might sound more natural in informal settings.

Is it appropriate to describe all children as "reasonable"?

No, it is not always appropriate. The term "reasonable child" implies a level of maturity and understanding that might not be present in all children, especially younger ones. Consider using the term when referring to age-appropriate expectations.

How does "reasonable child" differ from "reasonable person"?

The standard of a "reasonable person" applies to adults and assumes a fully developed capacity for judgment. The "reasonable child" standard acknowledges the limited experience and cognitive abilities of a child, setting a lower bar for expected behavior and understanding.