What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sons
Example
He has two sons and a daughter. [sons: noun]
Example
The sons of the family were all successful in their careers. [sons: noun]
Example
He was proud of his son's accomplishments. [son's: possessive noun]
scion
Example
The scion of the family inherited the fortune and the estate. [scion: noun]
Example
The scion of the company took over as CEO after his father retired. [scion: noun]
Example
The gardener carefully selected the scion to graft onto the rootstock. [scion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sons is a more commonly used word than scion in everyday language, as it is a neutral term used to describe male offspring. Scion is a less common word that is often used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sons and scion?
Scion is a more formal word than sons, as it is often used in more literary or highbrow contexts. Sons is a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.