born

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "born" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's place of birth or to refer to something that has been created or produced. Example: She was born in India and has been passionate about Indian culture ever since.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was born in Shanghai in 1940.

The New York Times

"I took this action because I want to make it perfectly clear: I was born in America and I am a proud American citizen.

The New York Times

People have been telling me I'm not good enough since the day I was born".

The Guardian

It's not nearly as big a problem as the 40 percent of children who are born out of wedlock.

The New York Times

He was born in South Africa and grew up in England and Wales; one grandfather is buried in Hong Kong, and his dad was interned by the Japanese during the Second World War.

The Guardian - Music

Related: Tessa Jowell launches London mayoral bid with housebuilding pledge Jowell said: "Most mothers can form strong bonds with their children, but there are hundreds of children born every year in this city who are not born with that opportunity, and its consequences are lifelong.

The Guardian

Stevens reckons the fact that hunters (or, if the law is being observed, pseudo-hunters) are now more likely to be professional people who have moved to the Cotswolds than farmers who were born there has changed the nature of hunting.

The Guardian

Born in Leicester, the 27-year-old musical unknown was selected as the Eurovision candidate after she caught the eye of BBC executives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Birmingham born and bred, he went to the city's King Edward School and is an Aston Villa fan.

The Guardian

Earlier this week, Valls said the removal of a person's nationality "is a legitimate question that arises regarding the consequences to which a person exposes themselves when they decide to attack the nation to which they belong because they were born there or have been accepted there".

The Guardian

That's often the brilliance of a thought, that people put their own meaning in to it," says Hegarty, one of the founders of the BBH agency, recalling his trip 30 years ago to the Audi workshop during which the genus of the idea was born.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "born," ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a place of birth, an inherent quality, or the act of giving birth to something.

Common error

Avoid confusing "born" (past participle of 'bear' relating to birth) with "borne" (past participle of 'bear' relating to carrying). For example, use "She was born in London" not "She was borne in London".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "born" is as a past participle of the verb 'bear', used to indicate the state of having been brought into existence. Ludwig AI showcases that "born" commonly functions to specify origin or inherent qualities, exemplified in the sentence "She was born in India."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "born" functions primarily as a past participle, indicating origin or inherent characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly within news and media contexts. Related phrases such as "originated" and "created" can serve as semantic alternatives depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Pay attention to differentiating "born" from "borne" to avoid common errors. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately employ "born" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Began life

Explicitly refers to the commencement of existence, akin to being born.

Brought into existence

A more formal way of saying "born", highlighting the process of coming into being.

Originated

Focuses on the starting point or beginning of something, similar to how "born" signifies the beginning of life.

Created

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence, whether through natural birth or other means.

Derived

Focuses on the source or origin of something, similar to how "born" indicates the origin of life.

Innate

Refers to qualities or characteristics that are present from birth, linking to the idea of inherent traits.

Emerged

Highlights the act of coming forth into existence or prominence.

Natural

Similar to innate, emphasizes qualities or abilities that are inherent and not learned.

Spawned

Implies the generation of something, often in large quantities or in a specific context.

Hatched

Refers to the emergence from an egg, a specific type of birth.

FAQs

How is "born" correctly used in a sentence?

"Born" can indicate place of origin, as in "She was born in Italy", or an inherent quality, such as "He was "born leader"".

What are some alternatives to saying someone was "born" in a certain place?

You could say someone "hails from" or "originated in" a particular location to convey a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "born" and "borne"?

"Born" relates to birth, while "borne" relates to carrying or enduring. "She was born in Spain" versus "The responsibility was borne by her".

Is it correct to say "born and raised"?

Yes, "born and raised" is a common expression used to emphasize that someone was both born and grew up in a particular place, indicating a long-term connection.