the rest of the family

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the rest of the family' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to members of a family other than the person to whom you are referring. For example: "My brother and I were able to take a vacation, but the rest of the family had to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rest of the family laughed, too.

The New Yorker

Be with the rest of the family.

The Washington Post

The rest of the family gathered.

The New Yorker

What about the rest of the family?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The rest of the family live opposite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The rest of the family fled without entering the morgue.

The New York Times

The rest of the family pitched in too.

The New York Times

"He want to kill the rest of the family".

The New Yorker

The rest of the family lives in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Amen" — by the rest of the family in unison.

The New York Times

"But the rest of the family are really good people.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the rest of the family", ensure it's clear who is being excluded from that grouping to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify 'besides my parents, the rest of the family will attend'.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone knows which family you're talking about. If the context isn't immediately obvious, specify which family is being referenced (e.g., 'the rest of the Smith family').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rest of the family" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It denotes the remaining members of a family group, distinct from those already specified.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the rest of the family" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to collectively refer to remaining family members. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and media. While its register is neutral, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying which family you're referencing to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives such as "other family members" for a slightly more formal tone. Pay attention to the context to clarify to whom the phrase refers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the other members of the family

Specifies 'other members' to clarify the inclusion of individuals not initially referenced.

other family members

Replaces 'rest of' with 'other', focusing on individuals within the family.

the remaining family

Uses 'remaining' instead of 'rest of', suggesting a group left behind.

the other relatives

Substitutes 'family' with 'relatives', broadening the scope to include extended family.

the rest of the kin

Replaces 'family' with 'kin', offering a more formal or archaic tone.

the rest of the household

Focuses on those living in the same residence, which may or may not be all family members.

the remaining relatives

Combines 'remaining' with 'relatives', broadening the scope while indicating a group that is left.

the family remainder

Changes the structure of the phrase, putting 'family' first and using 'remainder' to denote the remaining portion.

the balance of the family

Uses 'balance' to convey the idea of the remaining members needed to complete the family unit.

additional family members

Directly states that there are more family members beyond those already mentioned.

FAQs

How can I use "the rest of the family" in a sentence?

You can use "the rest of the family" to refer to the remaining members of a family not previously mentioned, for example: "I went to the park, and "the rest of the family" joined me later."

What's a more formal way to say "the rest of the family"?

A more formal alternative to "the rest of the family" could be "the remaining family members" or "other family members" depending on the context. These phrases offer a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it always clear who "the rest of the family" refers to?

No, it's not always clear. To avoid ambiguity, especially in writing, ensure the context makes it clear which family and which specific members you are referring to. For example, specify "the rest of the Smith family" or mention the names of specific family members who are not included in ""the rest of the family"".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "the rest of the family"?

Similar phrases include "other family members", "the remaining family", or "the rest of the relatives". The best alternative depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.