some children

USAGE SUMMARY

"some children" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a select group of children, rather than all children in general. For example: "Some children were playing with the new toys, while others were reading books."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some children.

The New York Times

Some children somewhere?

The New York Times

Some children on my visits.

The New York Times

Some children cry.

The New York Times - Travel

Some children were nervous.

The New York Times

Some children shiver.

The New York Times

But some children resist.

The New York Times

Some children may be physiologically predisposed.

The New York Times

Some children made robots using Lego pieces.

The New York Times

Some children cry, but most are quiet.

The New York Times

Some children fell, shot; others lay down.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "some children", ensure the context clarifies which specific children you are referring to, or the criteria that distinguish them from the broader population of children.

Common error

Avoid using "some children" when you can be more specific. If the context allows, replace it with a more precise description of the group of children you are referring to to improve clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some children" functions as a determiner phrase acting as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it frequently introduces specific observations or actions attributed to a subset of children within a larger group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some children" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It serves to denote a subset of children, distinguishing them from the broader group. Its neutral tone makes it suitable across a wide spectrum of contexts, including news, formal documents, and scientific papers. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies or implies which children are being discussed. While generally versatile, it's prudent to avoid overgeneralization by opting for greater precision when feasible. Ludwig's examples effectively illustrate the breadth of situations in which this phrase is employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few children

Emphasizes a smaller quantity compared to "some children".

certain children

Highlights that specific, but not necessarily named, children are being referred to.

several children

Indicates a moderate quantity of children.

a number of children

A more formal way of expressing "some children".

various children

Suggests diversity within the group of children being discussed.

a selection of children

Implies that the children have been chosen from a larger group.

particular children

Similar to "certain children", emphasizing specificity.

not all children

Contrasts with "all children", highlighting that the statement only applies to a portion of the group.

a portion of children

Formal and emphasizes that it is less than the entirety of the children.

some of the kids

More informal, using "kids" instead of "children".

FAQs

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

Use "some children" to refer to a subset of children within a larger group. For example, "Some children prefer reading books, while others enjoy playing sports."

What are some alternatives to "some children"?

You can use alternatives like "a few children", "certain children", or "several children" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "some children" instead of "all children"?

Use "some children" when you are referring to a portion, but not the entirety, of the children in a group. If the statement applies to every child, "all children" is more accurate.

Is there a difference between "some children" and "some of the children"?

"Some children" refers to an unspecified subset of children in general, while "some of the children" implies that you are referring to a subset of a specific, already defined group of children.