breed conflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breed conflict" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is causing tensions or disputes between people or groups. For example, "Clashes between police and protesters have continued to breed conflict in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Still, auctions breed conflict.

The New York Times

It did not take long, however, for many patients and their advocates and doctors to question Novartis's choice -- and for a program intended to sow good will instead to breed conflict.

The New York Times

Our leadership must call for new and creative policy reforms designed to tackle the challenge of adapting to the sorts of climate conditions that breed conflict — for instance, through the development of more drought- and heat-resistant agricultural technologies.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, Mr. Bush will meet here with Iraq's new interim president, Sheik Ghazi Ajil al-Yawar, and a delegation of Arab leaders to urge them to do more to encourage democracy as a way of addressing forces that breed conflict.

The New York Times

Like Hobbes, Spinoza holds that the passions endemic to human life breed conflict.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's conflict that breeds conflict".

Independent

Workplace breeds conflict, and office politics makes for strange bedfellows.

The New York Times

Conflict has bred conflict, reopening half-healed tribal and caste divisions and rending new ones.

The Economist

Instead you lock in the divisive poverty and inequality that breeds conflict and resentment, and creates the pressure and conditions for much derided "economic migration".

The Guardian - Opinion

Competition at national and regional levels has bred conflict where governance is weakest, with the bitter consequences on view in Syria and elsewhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is, however, a view among many East Timorese that opposition breeds conflict and that consensus fits better with traditional decision-making.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breed conflict" to describe situations or conditions that naturally lead to disagreements or hostility, emphasizing the inherent potential for conflict within those circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "breed conflict" in situations where a more specific term would be more accurate. For example, instead of saying "The new policy breeds conflict", specify what aspects of the policy cause disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breed conflict" functions as a verb phrase where "breed" acts as a transitive verb taking "conflict" as its direct object. It signifies the act of generating or causing conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is appropriate in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breed conflict" is a grammatically sound and contextually relevant expression used to describe situations or conditions that give rise to disputes or hostility. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase serves to explain the origins of conflict, often implying an inevitable consequence. For alternative expressions, one could consider phrases such as "cause conflict" or "generate conflict", depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create conflict

This alternative is a direct synonym, using "create" to denote the making of conflict.

cause conflict

This alternative replaces the verb "breed" with "cause", focusing on the action of initiating the conflict.

generate conflict

This alternative uses "generate" instead of "breed", emphasizing the creation or production of conflict.

foster conflict

This alternative employs "foster" to indicate the encouragement or promotion of conflict.

lead to conflict

This alternative emphasizes the consequence of something resulting in conflict.

spark conflict

This alternative describes a situation where something triggers conflict suddenly.

incite conflict

This alternative suggests a deliberate provocation leading to conflict.

promote discord

This alternative uses "discord" instead of "conflict", highlighting the lack of harmony.

trigger disputes

This alternative replaces conflict with the more specific "disputes" suggesting disagreements

provoke clashes

This alternative uses "clashes" to describe more physical conflicts

FAQs

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

You can use "breed conflict" to describe situations or conditions that naturally lead to disagreements or hostility. For example, "Misunderstandings often "breed conflict" within teams".

What are some alternatives to "breed conflict"?

Some alternatives include "cause conflict", "generate conflict", or "foster conflict". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "cause conflict" or "breed conflict"?

"Cause conflict" is a more general term for initiating a disagreement. "Breed conflict" suggests that certain conditions inherently lead to conflict over time.

What kind of situations "breed conflict" the most?

Situations with scarce resources, unclear communication, or conflicting goals are particularly prone to "breed conflict". Understanding these factors can help mitigate potential disputes.