anthropogenic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anthropogenic" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in scientific and environmental contexts to describe effects, processes, or activities that are derived from human activities, particularly in relation to environmental change. Example: "The increase in greenhouse gas emissions is largely attributed to anthropogenic factors such as industrialization and deforestation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A number of people are doing attribution of sea level to anthropogenic causes now.

The Guardian

People who vote for Geert Wilders Partyy for Freedom certainly tend to think that anthropogenic climate change is bunk, and that the scientists who believe in it are involved in a giant hoax or a mass delusion.

The Economist

To have a two-thirds chance of keeping global warming below 2ºC, it says, "will require cumulative CO2 emissions from all anthropogenic sources to stay between 0 and about 1,000 [trillion tonnes] .The world has already blown through just over half that amount (531 trillion tonnes) by 2011.

The Economist

THIS week's International section relied on the following source material:"Anthropogenic contributions to Australia's record summer temperatures of 2013".

The Economist

A recent paper by Ka-Kit Tung and Jiansong Zhou in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences links temperature changes from 1750 to natural changes (such as sea temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean) and suggests that "the anthropogenic global-warming trends might have been overestimated by a factor of two in the second half of the 20th century".

The Economist

However, over the past few decades no anthropogenic signal in sea-level changes has been detected.

The Economist

AS THE EVIDENCE mounts that anthropogenic climate change is a real threat, reducing carbon emissions is becoming a big concern not just for scientists and engineers, but for economists.

The Economist

Mr Mead makes the rather obvious point that climate change is now a matter of politics, not just of science; but when those who hold the consensus view that anthropogenic global warming is happening try to craft a political response, rather than a scientific one, they are hammered by sceptics for engaging in politics.

The Economist

There are several other problems, population and anthropogenic pressures, genetic constraints.

The Economist

Its aim was "to achieve stabilisation of greenhouse-gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".

The Economist

This allowed the team to estimate the contribution of human items to bears' diets through time.Restricting the availability of anthropogenic foods in the park should reduce the amount of them in bear diets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anthropogenic" when precision is needed in scientific or academic writing to denote human-caused effects, especially in environmental contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "anthropogenic" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "human-caused" would suffice. Overusing technical terms can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "anthropogenic" primarily functions as a modifier, describing nouns as originating from or caused by human activity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing effects, processes, or activities derived from human actions, particularly related to environmental change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anthropogenic" is a technical adjective used to describe phenomena originating from human activities, especially in environmental and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in attributing causality to human actions. While grammatically sound and widely accepted in formal writing, it's best to use simpler alternatives like "human-caused" in casual settings. The term is frequently encountered in sources like The Economist, Encyclopedia Britannica, and The Guardian, highlighting its relevance in discussions about climate change and environmental impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Human-induced

Directly replaces "anthropogenic" with a simpler term emphasizing human causation.

Human-caused

Explicitly states the origin as human actions, providing clarity.

Man-made

A common and easily understood substitute, although less formal.

Resulting from human activity

Expands the term to a phrase, clarifying the causal relationship.

Due to human impact

Focuses on the effect of human presence.

Attributable to human actions

Formal and precise, suitable for scientific or academic contexts.

Generated by human influence

Highlights the role of human impact in creating a specific effect.

Arising from human intervention

Implies a deliberate or impactful interaction by humans.

A consequence of human actions

Emphasizes the outcome or result of human behavior.

Related to human agency

Highlights the role of humans as agents of change.

FAQs

How is "anthropogenic" used in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, "anthropogenic" is used to precisely describe effects or processes that originate from human activities, particularly in the context of environmental science and climate change. For example, "anthropogenic climate change" refers to changes in the climate caused by human actions.

What are some alternatives to "anthropogenic"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "human-caused", "man-made", or "human-induced". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "anthropogenic" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "anthropogenic" is a technical term that might not be widely understood in everyday conversation. Simpler alternatives like "human caused" are generally more appropriate.

What is the difference between "anthropogenic" and "natural" when describing environmental changes?

"Anthropogenic" refers to changes caused by human activities, while "natural" refers to changes caused by environmental processes independent of human influence. For example, an "anthropogenic increase in carbon dioxide" contrasts with natural variations in atmospheric composition.