as a breed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a breed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific category or type of animals, often in discussions about characteristics or behaviors associated with that group. Example: "Dogs, as a breed, are known for their loyalty and companionship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Its origin as a breed is unknown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"As a breed, we're the ultimate generalists.

The New Yorker

As a breed, bowlers like that kind of comfort.

The Guardian - Sport

But he did not like corporate managers as a breed.

The Economist

(It was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club only in the mid-nineties).

The New Yorker

It's not that politicians as a breed are philistine; some have deep cultural hinterlands.

The Guardian

As a breed, we ballet mothers can be insufferable — clingy, controlling, and omnipresent.

The New Yorker

As a breed they are conditioned to say (wait for it) yes, minister.

The Guardian

High stakes gamblers as a breed have a curious relationship with money.

The New York Times

Novelists are compulsive as a breed, and Modiano is an exceptionally compulsive novelist.

The New Yorker

Players are "real people", but en masse they are seen as a breed.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a breed" when you want to generalize about a group's common characteristics or behaviors. It's suitable when discussing inherent tendencies or typical traits within that group.

Common error

Avoid using "as a breed" when discussing individuals within a group. Remember that generalizations may not apply to every member, and individual differences always exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a breed" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a shared characteristic or behavior within a particular group. Ludwig examples show its application to various groups, like "politicians as a breed" or "novelists as a breed".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a breed" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to make generalizations about the typical traits or behaviors of a specific group. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While it's useful for discussing shared characteristics, it's crucial to avoid overgeneralization and recognize individual differences within any group. Alternatives like "typically" or "in general" can be considered for nuanced expression. With a solid expert rating, "as a breed" remains a reliable way to convey common attributes, making it clear that the phrase is usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by nature

Focuses on inherent qualities rather than group membership.

characteristically

Emphasizes typical traits of a group.

typically

Highlights common attributes within a class.

in their nature

Highlights the innate qualities of a group.

in general

Addresses a group's tendencies without specific breed context.

on the whole

Similar to 'in general', but more encompassing.

by their kind

Focuses on shared attributes within a specific kind.

for the most part

Suggests a prevalent but not universal trait.

as a whole

Broadly references a group's collective nature.

collectively

Emphasizes group action or characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "as a breed" in a sentence?

Use "as a breed" to generalize about the typical characteristics or behaviors of a group, such as "Politicians, "as a breed", are often seen as ambitious".

What are some alternatives to using "as a breed"?

You can use alternatives such as "typically", "in general", or "characteristically" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "as a breed"?

It's appropriate to use "as a breed" when discussing the common traits or behaviors of a group, particularly when those traits are considered inherent or typical of that group.

What's the difference between saying "as a breed" and "in general"?

"As a breed" implies that the characteristics being discussed are inherent to the group, while "in general" suggests a broader trend that may not be specific to the group's nature.