actively selected for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actively selected for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has been deliberately chosen or favored through a process. Example: "The species that are best adapted to their environment are those that have been actively selected for over generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rather, the diverse range of genes that appear to influence our ability to think must have been actively selected for over hundreds of thousands of years.

The Guardian

Asymmetries in many cases are actively selected for: they might well have increased the evolutionary fitness of a species.

Current Biology

Indeed, in the past 50��years, milk flow has been actively selected for in some dairy populations [ 12].

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

There are likely many cases in which natives may be actively selected for biocontrol efficacy as an alternative to introducing nonnative agents.

Evolutionary Applications

Therefore, intrinsic oxidative stress through enhanced levels of endogenous ROS in prostate and other cancers may be a phenotype actively selected for in cancer progression.

BioMed Research International

However, we do not know whether this process is simply part of the overall gene loss (i.e., whether female-biased genes are degenerating at the same rate as random genes) or whether loss of female genes is actively selected for.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Breeders are not actively selecting for CO2 response," Dr. Ziska said.

The New York Times - Science

In this way, Ballardian environments actively select for psychopathic traits and it's the egocentric Laing who is best adapted to the high-rise who ultimately survives all the tower can throw at him.

The Guardian - Books

And can essentially choose to set their own 'ethical bar' based on fairness vs accuracy — using a toggle bar on the platform — assuming they are comfortable compromising the former for the latter (and, indeed, comfortable with any associated legal risk if they actively select for an obviously unfair tradeoff).

TechCrunch

In contrast to mortality, the percentage of senescent cells correlated with the percentage of CSLCs, suggesting that senescence actively selects for CSLCs.

Cell Death and Disease

Similarly, doxorubicin-induced senescence paralleled the emergence of CSLCs in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that senescence actively selects for CSLCs.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing evolutionary processes, use "actively selected for" to emphasize that a trait or gene was favored due to its beneficial effects on survival and reproduction.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "actively selected for" with simply being "present" or "available". "Actively selected for" implies a process where something was favored over alternatives because of a specific advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actively selected for" functions as a passive construction indicating that something has been deliberately chosen or favored due to specific characteristics or benefits. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actively selected for" is a grammatically sound construction used to indicate deliberate choice or preference. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts. While not exceptionally common, it is useful for conveying that something has been favored due to its beneficial qualities. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the idea of intentional selection based on specific advantages. Alternatives such as "deliberately chosen for" or "intentionally favored for" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberately chosen for

Replaces "actively selected" with "deliberately chosen", emphasizing the conscious decision behind the selection.

intentionally favored for

Substitutes "actively selected" with "intentionally favored", highlighting the preferential treatment in the selection process.

purposely picked for

Uses "purposely picked" instead of "actively selected", suggesting a specific aim in the selection.

specifically designated for

Replaces "actively selected" with "specifically designated", indicating a clear and defined purpose in the selection.

selectively bred for

A more specific alternative, appropriate when discussing traits in the context of breeding.

handpicked for

Implies a careful and deliberate selection process, often on a smaller scale.

actively cultivated for

Appropriate when selection involves fostering growth or development towards a specific goal.

preferentially chosen for

Highlights that the selection was made out of preference among multiple options.

carefully screened for

Indicates a rigorous selection process with specific criteria.

consciously opted for

Emphasizes awareness and intent behind the selection.

FAQs

How is "actively selected for" used in evolutionary biology?

In evolutionary biology, "actively selected for" describes traits or genes that have become more common in a population because they provide a survival or reproductive advantage. For example, resistance to a disease might be "actively selected for" in a population exposed to that disease.

What are some alternatives to "actively selected for"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "deliberately chosen for", "intentionally favored for", or "specifically designated for".

Is "actively selected for" different from "passively selected for"?

"Actively selected for" implies a direct benefit that leads to increased prevalence. "Passively selected for", if such a phrase were used, might imply that a trait became more common due to the removal of a disadvantage, rather than a direct advantage. However, "actively selected for" is much more common and precise.

Can "actively selected for" be used outside of scientific contexts?

Yes, while often used in scientific writing, "actively selected for" can be used in other contexts where you want to emphasize that something was deliberately chosen or favored because of its desirable qualities or effects. In less formal contexts other alternatives are recommended.