acquired immunity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquired immunity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of immunology to refer to the immunity that develops after exposure to a pathogen or through vaccination. Example: "Vaccination helps the body develop acquired immunity, which protects against future infections."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For example, the progressive switch from naturally acquired immunity to vaccine-acquired immunity is an essential characteristic.

Plosone

The immune response and the evaluation of acquired immunity against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle: a review.

Nature

The immune system has two broad categories of defence: innate and acquired immunity.

Vice

Central Europe seems to have acquired immunity.

The Economist

Interleukin-17A mediates acquired immunity to pneumococcal colonization.

Harvard University

Is schizophrenia in part a disorder of acquired immunity?

Nature

Those who initially tested positive never got sick: the first real evidence of acquired immunity.

The New Yorker

Of course, macrophages are essential for both innate and acquired immunity.

Nature

Oboki, K. et al. IL-33 is a crucial amplifier of innate rather than acquired immunity.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But of course, vaccine-acquired immunity is preferable because it comes without a potentially dangerous infection.

Huffington Post

They have acquired immunity, but at remarkably low speed.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing vaccination, specify the type of "acquired immunity" as vaccine-induced for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "acquired immunity" when referring to the body's natural, pre-existing defenses. "Innate immunity" refers to these natural defenses, while "acquired immunity" develops over time through exposure or vaccination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquired immunity" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, indicating that it is well-established in English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acquired immunity" is a well-established and frequently used term in the scientific and medical fields. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes the immunity an organism develops after exposure to a pathogen or through vaccination. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific publications, news reports, and encyclopedias. Alternatives like "adaptive immunity" can be used, but it's crucial to distinguish "acquired immunity" from "innate immunity", which refers to the body's natural defenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Adaptive immunity

Replaces "acquired" with "adaptive", emphasizing the immune system's ability to learn and adapt to threats.

Specific immunity

Focuses on the specificity of the immune response to a particular antigen.

Vaccine-induced immunity

Highlights immunity gained through vaccination.

Exposure-related immunity

Emphasizes immunity developed after exposure to a pathogen.

Humoral immunity

Refers to the aspect of immunity mediated by antibodies.

Cell-mediated immunity

Focuses on the immune response involving T cells.

Protective immunity

Emphasizes the protective effect of the immunity.

Induced resistance

Highlights the development of resistance to a pathogen.

Learned immunity

Uses "learned" to convey the adaptive nature of the immune response.

Post-infection immunity

Specifically indicates immunity that develops after an infection.

FAQs

How does vaccination contribute to "acquired immunity"?

Vaccines introduce weakened or inactive pathogens to stimulate the immune system, leading to the development of "acquired immunity" without causing disease. This prepares the body to fight off future infections by the same pathogen.

What's the difference between "innate immunity" and "acquired immunity"?

"Innate immunity" refers to the body's natural, pre-existing defenses, while "acquired immunity" develops over time through exposure to pathogens or vaccination. Innate immunity is non-specific, whereas acquired immunity is specific to particular pathogens.

What are some other terms for "acquired immunity"?

Alternatives to "acquired immunity" include "adaptive immunity" and "specific immunity", which emphasize the immune system's ability to learn and target specific threats.

How long does "acquired immunity" last?

The duration of "acquired immunity" varies depending on the pathogen and the individual's immune response. Some acquired immunity, like that from measles or rubella, can be lifelong, while others may be short-lived, lasting only a few months.