cull

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cull" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where selection or removal of certain items or individuals from a group is necessary, often to improve quality or efficiency. Example: "The committee decided to cull the list of applicants to ensure only the most qualified candidates were interviewed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's one of those ones that really doesn't require in-depth knowledge of either David McIntosh or his freelance role in the badger cull to be appreciated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hunt has also exempted Western Australia from federal conservation laws in order to allow the state to cull the protected great white shark and has requested that Unesco remove 74,000 hectares of Tasmanian forest from its world heritage list to allow logging, even though the state's forestry industry is against the move.

The Guardian

In one stridently expressed and explicit policy demand, he said: "I urge you to look again at introducing a proper cull of badgers where it is necessary.

The Guardian

The current cull of badgers, aimed at cutting TB in cattle but derided by many scientists as ineffective, would be shut down by Labour.

The Guardian

The RSPB last week asked the high court to stop a cull of lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls in Lancashire which had been sanctioned by environment secretary, Owen Paterson, at the request of aerospace company BAE Systems.

The Guardian

Although this appeal to the parochial record of individual Dail deputies might save a few Fianna Fáil TDs, there is still likely to be a merciless cull of its parliamentarians.

The Guardian

He was revealed to have pressed for changes in government policy, ranging from improved equipment for British troops in Iraq to the implementation of a badger cull (whose opponents he criticised as being intellectually dishonest).

The Guardian

In 2012, the council's announcement it would be pulping a large quantity of the stock in the UK's largest municipal library prompted a high profile campaign by figures such as Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage and Jeanette Winterson, but it only halted the cull temporarily.

The Guardian

Solange, for her part, was said to have removed all photos of Beyoncé from her Instagram account, although after a thorough investigation, it turned out that a few survived the cull.

The Guardian - Opinion

Universities complain that the cull of bogus students (so many just disappear, according to the Sunday papers) is putting off the real, cash-paying students they need to balance the books.

The Guardian

But on Tuesday the judge dismissed the charity's claims that the cull was unlawful and would, as the RSPB had argued, set a dangerous precedent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about animal populations, use "cull" to refer to a deliberate reduction in numbers, often for conservation or management purposes. Avoid using it casually to describe general killing.

Common error

Avoid using "cull" as a generic term for 'remove' or 'eliminate'. It specifically implies a selective and controlled reduction, often with a clear purpose. Use more appropriate alternatives like "remove" or "eliminate" when the context doesn't involve a deliberate and managed reduction.

Linguistic Context

The word "cull" functions primarily as a verb or a noun, depending on the context. As a verb, it signifies the act of selectively removing members from a group, often animals. As a noun, it refers to the act of culling itself, as shown in examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "cull" is a versatile term, functioning as both a noun and a verb, to express the selective reduction or removal of items or individuals from a group. As indicated by Ludwig, it commonly appears in varied sources like news media, business reports, and scientific papers. The word is deemed grammatically correct and suitable for use in formal or neutral communication contexts. When the specific intention is to show a purposeful reduction or selection, "cull" is the proper term, just bear in mind that alternatives exist to prevent overuse, which include "thin out", or "selectively remove". Remember, although it's often used in animal population management, it also can be used in settings like organizational downsizing or resource control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thin out

Focuses on reducing density or quantity, often in the context of plants or populations.

weed out

Emphasizes the removal of undesirable elements from a group.

remove selectively

Highlights the act of carefully choosing what to eliminate.

prune

Implies a more refined and careful process of cutting away unnecessary parts.

eliminate

Suggests a complete removal, without necessarily implying selection.

reduce numbers

Directly addresses decreasing the quantity of a group.

decrease population

Specifically refers to lowering the number of individuals in a population.

downsize

Often used in a business context to describe reducing the workforce.

exterminate

Implies complete destruction or eradication, stronger than "cull".

decimate

Refers to a significant reduction, often by a tenth, but can imply widespread destruction.

FAQs

How is "cull" typically used in sentences?

The word "cull" can be used as a verb, meaning to selectively remove or reduce, or as a noun, referring to the act of culling or the items removed. For example, "The farmer will cull the herd" (verb) or "The cull resulted in a healthier population" (noun).

What are some alternatives to using "cull"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "thin out", "weed out", "selectively remove", or "prune". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cull" a negative term?

The term "cull" can have negative connotations because it often involves killing animals. However, it is sometimes used in a neutral or even positive way when it's part of a management strategy for conservation or disease control.

What's the difference between "cull" and "slaughter"?

"Cull" implies a selective and controlled reduction, usually for a specific reason like improving the health of a population or preventing overgrazing. "Slaughter", on the other hand, generally refers to the killing of animals for food or other commercial purposes and doesn't necessarily involve selection.