breed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'breed out' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe the process of eliminating a trait or characteristic from a population, usually through interbreeding with another population. For example: "The goal of the interbreeding program is to breed out the recessive genetic traits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We certainly have a new young breed out here, don't we?

The New York Times

"It has become an amazingly powerful tool to dissect the molecular basis for why these diseases develop and to help us ways to breed out complex inherited diseases".

The Guardian

"Later, the state created orphans among the aboriginal population through racial policies, stealing indigenous kids from their communities and trying to breed out their blackness.

The Guardian - Books

Salient components of the assimilation program included the removal of Aboriginal children from their families to institutions under white supervision and the control of Aboriginal reproduction all in an effort to eventually "breed out" any Aboriginal qualities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To many, including disability groups, Perkins's thesis appears to be nothing more than eugenics, a programme to try to "breed out welfare dependency" and, essentially, poverty, arguing that parents, rather than poverty, damage children.

The Guardian

In some states it was part of a policy to "breed out the color," in the words of Cecil Cook, who held the title of chief protector of Aborigines in the Northern Territory in the 1930s.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

For years, Western culture has valued and rewarded natural born extroverts in its effort to breed out-going, sociable, go-get-'em type citizens.

Huffington Post

In this way, it's horrifying that the working classes appear to be being "bred out" of key branches of the arts; at the very least priced out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our spirits were considerably lightened though by an elegant and amazingly cheap new boutique hotel right by the walls of the old town and a great meal of the rich, dark beef that is bred out on those endless plains.

The Guardian - Travel

In other words, in the quest to make ever stronger cannabis, illicit growers may have inadvertently bred out a chemical that protected the mental health of users in the past.

The Guardian

Between the founding of the breed club and the present, the early Shetland blood has been almost completely bred out, in order to maintain and improve the small stock horse look sought by the breed founders.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing efforts to remove undesirable traits in animals or plants, use "breed out" to clearly indicate the intentional and selective nature of the process.

Common error

Avoid using "breed out" when describing natural selection or evolution; this phrase implies human intervention and selective breeding, not simply the disappearance of a trait over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breed out" functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the process of removing or eliminating a specific characteristic or trait from a lineage or population through selective breeding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and understandable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "breed out" is a grammatically sound and relatively common term used to describe the process of selectively eliminating a trait from a population. As Ludwig AI explains, it is considered valid and usable in written English. While it sees use across various contexts, it is most prominent in the fields of news, media, and scientific publications. The phrase carries a neutral to slightly formal tone, indicating a deliberate and managed process of genetic modification. Remembering its intentional nature can help avoid misapplication, and using the phrase in the proper contexts can ensure your writing is both accurate and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate through breeding

Focuses on the action of removing a trait via selective reproduction.

remove genetically

Highlights the genetic aspect of trait removal.

select against

Emphasizes the process of choosing individuals without a specific trait.

reduce incidence of

Shifts focus to decreasing the occurrence of something.

phase out genetically

Suggests a gradual elimination of genetic elements.

weed out by selection

Implies a removal process through selective breeding.

develop resistance

Focuses on fostering immunity against a specific trait

cultivate against

Highlights breeding to protect or enhance crops against certain characteristics

inhibit genetically

Describes hindering genetic traits from expression

negatively select

Focuses on choosing against individuals with a certain attribute

FAQs

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

You can use "breed out" to describe the process of eliminating specific traits in a population through selective breeding. For example: "The breeders aimed to "breed out" the genetic predisposition to the disease".

What's a good alternative to "breed out"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "eliminate through breeding", "remove genetically", or "select against" as alternatives to "breed out".

Is "breed out" formal or informal language?

"Breed out" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in scientific, agricultural, and technical discussions. For more general contexts, a phrase like "get rid of" might be more appropriate.

What does "breed out" imply about the process?

"Breed out" implies an active and intentional effort to reduce or eliminate a specific trait through selective reproduction. It suggests that breeders or scientists are actively involved in manipulating the genetic makeup of a population.