children vs the children

Both 'children' and 'the children' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Children' is a general term referring to kids in a broad sense, while 'the children' is more specific, referring to a particular group of kids that has been previously mentioned or is known to the speaker and listener.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 1273 views

This is a correct and commonly used term to refer to kids in a general sense.

"children"

Use 'children' when talking about kids in a general sense without specifying a particular group or context.

Examples:

The school playground was filled with children playing happily.
She has dedicated her life to helping children in need.

Show examples from the web [+]

With more Cortexiphan children, their collective psychic energy could...
Such imperfect children are often adopted By well-meaning immigrant families.
Your children said you were kind.
Your children want you alive, Sire.
All the children want some thing.
Over 100,000 children learn science this way.
Space is filled with orbiting children.
Your children who survived the Fifth Column bombing...
A lovely prison with five beautiful children.
My children sometimes have strange ideas.
I understand you have extremely ill-behaved children.
I hope our children survive you.
Good night, children, everywhere.
Our children represent everything that the humans hate.
My children are sleeping next to their unborn cousins.
Some children are born into these horrible situations.
Smith ultimately adopted five children and fathered forty-five children.
We can also entertain your children in a specially arranged play-corner for children.
Diabetic children aren't any different from other children.
Here I have children per woman: two children, four children, six children, eight children - big families, small families.

Alternatives:

kids
youngsters
minors
offspring
juveniles

This is a correct term used when referring to a specific group of kids that has been previously mentioned or is known to the speaker and listener.

"the children"

Use 'the children' when you want to specify a particular group of kids that is already established in the conversation or context.

Examples:

The children in the first row are the winners of the competition.
Please make sure the children are supervised at all times.

Show examples from the web [+]

There are the children to consider.
But come winter the children'll starve.
The house will be sold and the children scattered.
It seems his wife finally had enough and took the children away.
I have always busy and take care of the children.
We were told that Vernon's been hurting the children.
Robots obey what the children say.
These are the children you helped.
Your leather will terrify the children.
Abigale, the children, please.
I looked at the children With tear-filled eyes.
It's a shame about the children.
And then there's the children.
I missed the children too, but mostly you.
Yes, the children, Henrik.
I was happy to see that you and the children were fine.
He has done nothing but serve the children and the families of new york city...
Ever since he confessed to murdering all the children.
I must get the children before they're kidnapped.
I promised I would call the children.

Alternatives:

the kids
those children
our children
your children
their children

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children vs the children

"children"

"the children"

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