when they were children

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when they were children" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time in the past when individuals were young, often in storytelling or reminiscing contexts. Example: "They often talked about their adventures when they were children, filled with laughter and innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Donohue baby-sat for both when they were children.

The New York Times

Diamond, 63, said the brothers' grandfather took them to the synagogue when they were children.

The Washington Post

Booth and her sister served when they were children on a stall outside Whitechapel station.

The Guardian - Books

Even when they were children, the fighting seemed to affect my aunt and mother differently.

The New Yorker

When they were children, oyster stuffing was always on the Thanksgiving table.

The New York Times - Food

Two crew members described how their houses had burned down when they were children.

The New York Times

I bet when they were children they laughed in Bambi when his mother got shot".

The Guardian

She used to give him sweets like this when they were children.

The New Yorker

Ms. Pearson and Mr. Cintron, who met when they were children, are not married.

The New York Times

Frequently they sought from him what they'd sought from their parents when they were children.

The New York Times

In 1973, 61percentt of Americans said schools were better than when they were children.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "when they were children" to provide context about a past event or behavior. It clearly indicates a time in the past during their childhood.

Common error

Avoid using "when they were children" if the context involves events that happened during their teenage years or early adulthood. This phrase specifically refers to the period of childhood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when they were children" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a verb or verb phrase to indicate when an action occurred or a state existed. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable. The adverbial clause provides temporal context, specifying the period during which the described event or condition took place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when they were children" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to specify a time in the past during someone's childhood. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable for various contexts. It functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing background information and setting the scene. While its register is neutral, its frequency in news and media contexts highlights its utility in factual reporting and narrative storytelling. Common alternatives include "during their childhood" and "in their youth". Using this phrase correctly helps to clearly establish a timeline and provide context about past events or behaviors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their childhood

Focuses on the period of childhood rather than a specific time.

when they were little

Simple and direct, emphasizing their small size and age.

during their youth

Uses 'youth' which implies a slightly broader age range than 'childhood'.

in their younger years

Highlights the earlier part of their lives.

during their early days

Focuses on the beginning stages of their lives.

as youngsters

Uses a more informal term, 'youngsters', to refer to them.

from a young age

Highlights the continuous nature of something starting early.

back when they were kids

Employs a more casual and colloquial expression.

in their infancy

Refers to the very early stages of childhood.

as adolescents

Specifically refers to the period of adolescence.

FAQs

What does "when they were children" mean?

The phrase "when they were children" refers to a period in the past when individuals were in their childhood, typically before adolescence.

How can I use "when they were children" in a sentence?

You can use "when they were children" to provide background information or context about someone's past. For example, "They used to play in the park "when they were children"".

What are some alternatives to "when they were children"?

Alternatives include "during their childhood", "in their youth", or "in their younger years", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "when they were children" in formal writing?

Yes, "when they were children" is appropriate in formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider if a more precise term like "during their early childhood" would be more suitable.