breed crime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breed crime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment that fosters or encourages criminal behavior. Example: "The lack of economic opportunities in the area tends to breed crime among the youth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Half-deserted neighbourhoods breed crime, driving yet more people to leave.

The Economist

The burning question seems to be an almost biblical one: does society over-burden cops with the need to "prevent" violence, while we abdicate our responsibility to help our least fortunate to escape the conditions that breed crime?

The Guardian

Donald J. Trump bought full-page newspaper advertisements demanding the death penalty and rejecting assertions (from Cardinal John J. O'Connor, among others) that society shared the blame for conditions that breed crime.

The New York Times

Chief Nunn, who sings both in her church choir and in the choir of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights, brings to her job a strong belief in the church's potential, and responsibility, for solving the social problems that breed crime.

The New York Times

And as usual the incumbent government is responding with price controls that will only breed crime, create shortages and contort and eventually grind the economy to a halt.

Forbes

Trump said sanctuary cities "breed crime".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Technology breeds crime".

The Guardian

"Illegal Immigration Breeds Crime, Disease," Arpaio suggested.

The New Yorker

Indifference, like impunity, breeds crime.

The Guardian

More often than not it is poverty, not ideology, that breeds crime.

The New York Times

Every violent death in a Henning Mankell police procedural incites deep rumination by his Swedish detective, Kurt Wallander, about the moral corruption that breeds crime.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breed crime", consider the specific context and choose related words carefully. For instance, in describing social conditions, "foster crime" might be more appropriate, while "encourage crime" might fit better when describing policies.

Common error

While grammatically correct, consistently using "breed crime" in formal writing can sound repetitive. Alternate with phrases like "contribute to crime" or "exacerbate criminal behavior" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breed crime" functions as a verb phrase where "breed" is a transitive verb taking "crime" as its direct object. It describes the action of something causing or giving rise to criminal activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "breed crime" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression that describes how specific conditions or circumstances can encourage criminal activity. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, it is usable in various contexts, although it is most commonly found in news and media sources. While synonymous alternatives such as "foster crime" or "encourage crime" exist and may be preferable in some scenarios, using "breed crime" is correct and effective. Therefore, be mindful of the tone and audience when choosing the most effective option, and always aim for clarity and specificity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster crime

Direct synonym, focusing on the nurturing aspect of causing crime.

encourage crime

Emphasizes the act of giving incentive or support to criminal activity.

promote crime

Suggests a more active role in increasing crime rates.

generate crime

Focuses on the creation or production of criminal activity.

give rise to crime

Implies that something leads to or initiates criminal behavior.

lead to crime

Indicates a causal relationship where something results in crime.

cause crime

A more direct and general term for something resulting in criminal activity.

cultivate crime

Similar to foster, but suggests a more deliberate and intentional effort.

nurture crime

Implies a sustained effort to support and encourage criminal activity.

spark crime

Suggests that something triggers or initiates criminal activity suddenly.

FAQs

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

You can use "breed crime" to describe conditions that foster or encourage criminal behavior. For example: "Poverty and lack of education often "breed crime" in marginalized communities."

What are some alternatives to "breed crime"?

Some alternatives to "breed crime" include "foster crime", "encourage crime", or "contribute to crime". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "breeds crime" instead of "breed crime"?

Yes, the correct form depends on the subject. Use "breeds crime" with singular subjects (e.g., "Poverty breeds crime") and "breed crime" with plural subjects (e.g., "Poor conditions breed crime").

What's the difference between "breed crime" and "lead to crime"?

"Breed crime" suggests a more gradual and systemic development of criminal behavior, while "lead to crime" implies a more direct causal relationship. "Neglect can breed crime", while "A specific policy might lead to crime".