their children

USAGE SUMMARY

"their children" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone else's biological children. For example, "The couple proudly showed off their children to their friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kill their children.

The New Yorker

I teach their children".

The New Yorker

So did their children.

The Economist

Their children played underfoot.

The New Yorker

And their children.

The New Yorker

Their children play together.

The New York Times

"Parents help their children".

The New York Times

Parents bring their children.

The New York Times

Will their children?

The New York Times - Books

Their children moved away.

The New York Times

Consider their children.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "their children" when referring to the offspring of a group of people or a couple, ensuring the context makes the possessive pronoun clear.

Common error

Avoid confusing "their children" with "there are children" or "there children". "Their" indicates possession, while "there" indicates location or existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their children" functions as a possessive determiner ("their") followed by a noun ("children"). According to Ludwig, this construction is both grammatically correct and commonly used. It modifies a noun, indicating to whom the children belong.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "their children" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the offspring of a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions primarily to indicate a relationship or ownership between people and their kids. Its neutral register allows it to appear across various contexts, prominently in News & Media. When writing, ensure the context clearly establishes who "their" refers to, avoiding confusion with similar-sounding phrases. Consider alternatives like "their offspring" for a more formal tone, or "the kids of theirs" for an informal style. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use the phrase "their children" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their offspring

Replaces "children" with a more formal synonym, "offspring".

their sons and daughters

Specifies the gender of the children, adding detail.

the kids of theirs

Rephrases using a more informal structure and vocabulary.

their descendants

Refers to future generations, a broader term than "children".

the children belonging to them

Emphasizes ownership or belonging.

the next generation of their family

Highlights the role of the children in the family's lineage.

their progeny

A more formal and less common synonym for offspring.

the younger members of their family

Uses a broader term to encompass all younger relatives.

their heirs

Implies inheritance or succession, focusing on a specific aspect of the parent-child relationship.

the fruit of their loins

An archaic and somewhat poetic expression for children.

FAQs

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

You can use "their children" in a sentence to refer to the offspring of a group of people. For example, "The parents watched their children play in the park".

What is a formal alternative to "their children"?

A more formal alternative to "their children" is "their offspring". This term is often used in legal or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "there children" instead of "their children"?

No, it is not correct. "There children" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "their children" to indicate possession or relationship.

What's the difference between "their children" and "the children"?

"Their children" refers to the children of a specific group of people, while "the children" refers to a general group of children or children previously mentioned in the context.