be home to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be home to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that a certain place provides a certain thing or is a home for a certain thing. For example: "The forest is home to a variety of wildlife species."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will always be home to me".

The New York Times - Sports

At least it used to be home to that number.

The Guardian

Nine Bleecker continues to be home to unusual causes.

The New York Times

Soon Sulukule will be home to the bourgeoisie".

The Guardian

It is said to be home to Hindu divinities.

The New York Times

Now it may be home to the wandering Nets.

The New York Times - Sports

"It will always be home to him," she said.

The New York Times

With any luck, Gemma will be home to enjoy it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It may eventually be home to up to 300 chimps.

The New York Times - Science

The planet may, in fact, be home to no one.

The New York Times

"And now it will be home to my daughter's memories".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be home to" to indicate that a specific location provides a habitat, base, or residence for something. For example, "The national park is home to diverse wildlife."

Common error

Avoid using "be home to" when simply indicating a location. For instance, instead of "The museum is home to ancient artifacts", which implies the museum is their natural habitat, use "The museum is located in the city center".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be home to" functions as a predicate nominative or predicate adjective, describing the subject by indicating where something resides, originates, or is centrally located. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be home to" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a location's inhabitants, features, or defining characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and commonly used across diverse contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific writing. To avoid misuse, it's crucial to ensure that the phrase implies a sense of natural habitat or central location rather than just a simple location. Understanding the nuances of its usage will help you effectively incorporate "be home to" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

host

This alternative emphasizes the action of providing space or resources.

house

This term provides a more concise alternative focusing on physical containment.

be the site of

This suggests a specific place where an event or entity is situated.

be the location of

This offers a more formal and descriptive substitute.

accommodate

This focuses on the capacity to hold or contain.

provide a haven for

This implies a place of safety or refuge.

shelter

This suggests protection or coverage.

nurture

This implies providing care and support for growth.

be a breeding ground for

This suggests a place where something develops or multiplies.

be the seat of

This implies a formal or official location.

FAQs

How can I use "be home to" in a sentence?

Use "be home to" to indicate that a place provides a habitat, base, or central location for something. For example: "The coral reef is home to a variety of marine species."

What are some alternatives to "be home to"?

You can use alternatives such as "house", "host", or "be the location of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is home for" instead of "be home to"?

While similar, "be home to" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Is home for" might sound slightly less natural, but it's understandable. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "be home to" and "be based in"?

"Be home to" indicates a place where something resides or originates, while "be based in" suggests a headquarters or operational center. For example, a company can "be based in" New York, but its products could "be home to" innovative technology.