bred up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bred up" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey the idea of raising or nurturing something, but it is not a recognized expression. Example: "They bred up a new strain of plants in their greenhouse."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Here they are relatively safe and can be bred up to provide foundation populations.

The Guardian

If Robbie had never much bothered about the moorits and Cheviots his poor dead and buried father had bred up over the years, now he positively neglected them.

The New Yorker

Bred up for the Shia clergy, his life was changed in 1905 by the popular movement to secure parliamentary government from the feckless and extravagant Qajar monarchy.

The Guardian - Books

From his childhood he had been bred up with Aruns in his family, and when now grown up did not leave his house, professing to wish for the enjoyment of his society.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Of all Cookes in the World the French are esteem'd the best, and of all Cookes that ever France bred up, this may very well challenge the first place, as the neatest and compleatest that ever attend the French Court and Armies.

Britannica

The Forbes Scrapbook of Thoughts on the Business of Life is presented to senders of texts used.; I said there was a society of men among us, bred up from their youth in the art of proving, by words multiplied for the purpose, that white is black and black is white, according as they are paid.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The project's aim is not to breed up a tougher tree but to create one through genetic engineering.

The New Yorker

"How is that going to affect the people I represent?" said Larry L. Koon, a South Carolina state legislator for 28 years who breeds up to 300 fox hounds, beagles and coon dogs at a time and buys as much as a ton of dog food each week.

The New York Times

It breeds up to the tree-line, reaching 2,200 metres (7,250 ft) in Switzerland.

Wikipedia

Senator Ellison DuRant Smith of South Carolina called on the nation to "to shut the door and to breed up a pure, unadulterated American citizenship".

Huffington Post

Each female can breed up to 4 times a year, and oestrus lasts an average of 3 h [24], [27].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing how animals are brought to maturity for specific purposes, consider using "raised" or "reared" instead of "bred up". For instance, "The horses were raised for racing."

Common error

Avoid using "bred up" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and accepted alternatives such as "raised", "cultivated", or "nurtured" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bred up" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to describe the process of raising or cultivating something, often animals, for a particular purpose. Despite its use, Ludwig AI suggests it's grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "bred up" is frequently encountered across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its primary function is to describe the process of raising or cultivating something, particularly animals, for a specific purpose. Although commonly used in news, media, science, and wiki contexts, it is advisable to consider more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "raised", "reared", or "cultivated", especially in formal writing. Despite its frequent appearance, users should be mindful of its questionable grammatical standing and opt for more precise language to maintain clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raised

A general term for the process of bringing something to maturity or completion.

reared

Focuses on the raising and care of something, especially children or animals.

brought up

Emphasizes the upbringing and education received during childhood.

cultivated

Highlights the careful development of something, often in an agricultural or intellectual context.

nurtured

Stresses the provision of care and support for growth.

developed

Emphasizes gradual growth and advancement.

fostered

Highlights the act of encouraging or promoting the development of something.

trained

Focuses on imparting specific skills or behaviors through instruction.

mentored

Implies a guiding and supportive role in someone's development.

prepared

Highlights making someone ready for a specific purpose through education or training.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "bred up"?

While "bred up" is frequently used, consider alternatives such as "raised", "reared", or "cultivated" depending on the specific context to ensure grammatical correctness.

In what contexts might I want to avoid using "bred up"?

It's best to avoid using "bred up" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional communications. More precise alternatives like "brought up" or "nurtured" are generally preferred.

How can I use "raised" instead of "bred up" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "The scientist bred up a new strain of plant", you could say "The scientist "raised" a new strain of plant". This is a more grammatically correct construction.

What's the difference between "bred up" and "brought up"?

"Bred up" generally refers to the raising of animals or plants for a specific purpose, while ""brought up"" typically refers to the upbringing and education of a person. Using the correct phrase ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy.