cultivate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cultivate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about cultivating land or plants, forming or improving relationships, or encouraging desirable traits or qualities. Example Sentence: She worked hard to cultivate a feeling of togetherness within her team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The White House is attempting to cultivate new ties with Egypt's new Islamist rulers following the removal of the Hosni Mubarak, the hardline president who was formerly backed by Washington, last year.

The Guardian

Toronto had always been a hotbed for zine culture, and its movie zines (including Geddes's own, Asian Eye) helped cultivate its film-literate reputation.

The Guardian - Film

At the start of the organic revolution, as the government gave unused city land to anyone who wanted to cultivate it, many first-generation city dwellers remembered their country childhood.

The Guardian

In my view, the next Labour leader needs to combat rather than cultivate the Tory press.

The Guardian

From the outset, Blair set out to cultivate the Tory press: Lord Rothermere, Conrad Black (whom he knew through the Bilderberg Conferences that he flatly denied attending) and particularly Rupert Murdoch.

The Guardian

Ryton has 30 demonstration gardens where the ethos is simply to cultivate in harmony with nature.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In addition, Michèle will be available one and a half hours per week at an allocated time to deal with individual concerns, although the emphasis during this period will be for students to live with their problems, make their own choices and cultivate a sense of self-reliance.

The Guardian

Social media tools have enabled fringe groups once derided for having "more initials than members" to cultivate an image of power and influence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nabil later said the operation to cultivate Mehsud was a bid "to send a message to Pakistan that if they can do this, we also can do it".

The Guardian

"It's very depressing and financially ruinous for lavender producers to cultivate plants that are supposed to last 10 years and find them dying within three years," said Chaisse.

The Guardian

The second scheme was to produce a documentary entitled The Führer Gives a City to the Jews, for which Terezín was cleaned up and grotesque sequences filmed in which apparently happy inmates, in reality doomed to die, play football and cultivate market gardens.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cultivate", consider the specific context to ensure the meaning aligns with your intention, whether it's growing crops, developing a skill, or fostering a relationship. Always consider the object of cultivate is appropriate in meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "cultivate" in contexts where a more direct verb would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "cultivate understanding", consider "foster understanding" or "promote understanding" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "cultivate" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the act of preparing and using land for crops or gardening, fostering the growth of something, or developing a particular skill or quality. Ludwig AI validates the correct usage of "cultivate" in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cultivate" is a versatile transitive verb, meaning to foster growth, development, or improvement. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in a wide range of contexts. It is very common, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific writing. When using "cultivate", consider its specific connotation of intentional effort and choose the most appropriate synonym, such as "foster", "nurture", or "develop", depending on the desired nuance. Be mindful of using "cultivate" in overly abstract contexts where a more direct verb might be clearer. To master the use of "cultivate", pay attention to the object of "cultivate", since not everything can be cultivated. It's suitable for describing actions aimed at achieving a desired outcome with careful, deliberate and targeted actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foster

Focuses on promoting growth or development, often in a nurturing sense.

nurture

Emphasizes care and attention to promote growth or development.

develop

Implies gradual growth or advancement over time.

encourage

Focuses on inspiring or motivating someone or something to grow or improve.

promote

Suggests actively supporting or advocating for the growth or success of something.

foment

Implies instigating or stirring up something, often with a negative connotation.

advance

Focuses on moving something forward or improving its position.

refine

Suggests improving something by removing imperfections or unwanted elements.

grow

A basic term for increasing in size or development.

establish

Highlights the creation or setting up of something for future growth.

FAQs

How can I use "cultivate" in a sentence?

You can use "cultivate" to describe growing plants, nurturing relationships, or developing qualities. For instance, "Farmers cultivate crops", "They cultivate relationships", or "She tried to cultivate an interest in learning".

What are some alternatives to "cultivate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "foster", "nurture", "develop", or "promote".

Is it correct to use "cultivate" in a business context?

Yes, "cultivate" is often used in business to describe building relationships or developing strategies. For example, "The company aims to cultivate new partnerships".

What is the difference between "cultivate" and "nurture"?

"Cultivate" often implies a more active and intentional effort to foster growth or development, while "nurture" suggests a more gentle and caring approach. You cultivate crops, but nurture children.