deciding to breed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deciding to breed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing choices related to reproduction, whether in animals or humans. Example: "After much consideration, they are now deciding to breed their dogs to improve the lineage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The same goes for checking the DNA of a broodmare before deciding to breed her.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he soon realized they could, and he decided to breed coarse German mares to refined stallions from elsewhere.

The New York Times - Sports

By the time I was four or five, siblings were arriving fast and my parents also decided to breed German Shepherds.

The Guardian - Books

Hoping to preserve some of his DNA for future generations, the Darwin Center decided to breed him with females of a closely related sub species from another island.

The New York Times - Travel

The men decided to breed sterile male screwworm flies and release them in the hope that they would mate frequently but produce no offspring.

The New York Times

He bought a filly named Dalicia in Germany for $400,000, raced her a bit and then decided to breed her.

The New York Times

In a move opposed by religious and environmental advocates, Harvard had also been seeking to extend the patent to any other kind of nonhuman mammal that it might decide to breed with a special genome that increases susceptibility to cancer.

The New York Times

As well as the "normal ones" – cats, dogs, chickens and the accident-prone hamsters – Morgan and her two older sisters became well acquainted with the exotic livestock their entrepreneurial father decided to breed after renting fields from local farmers.

The Guardian - Arts

Shortly after the guppy episode, Kenny and his brothers, on the advice of friends decided to breed a popular fish from Sichuan province called the high fin loach.

BBC

Yet when Loggans, an accomplished horsewoman, decided to breed, show and sell horses, she lost money–$1.6 million over six years, which she wrote off against other income.

Forbes

Challenging that common wisdom, Linley Jesson and Spencer Barrett of the University of Toronto, Canada, decided to breed different specimens of a plant called Heteranthera multiflora, which sports yellow flowers with left- or right-dangling styles.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about breeding, especially in scientific or formal contexts, consider specifying the reasons behind the decision. For example, instead of just stating someone is "deciding to breed", clarify if it's for genetic diversity, conservation, or commercial purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "deciding to breed" when a more specific term is appropriate. For instance, in plant biology, "deciding to propagate" might be more accurate; in human contexts, "planning a family" or "choosing to have children" conveys the intention more sensitively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deciding to breed" functions as a gerund phrase, where "deciding" acts as a verb converted into a noun. It signifies the action of making a decision about breeding. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deciding to breed" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that communicates the action of making a deliberate choice to reproduce animals or plants. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appropriate for various contexts, although sensitivity should be considered when discussing human reproduction. Its frequency of use is common, predominantly in news, wiki, and scientific sources. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to be specific about the motivations behind the decision, such as genetic improvement or conservation efforts. Avoid overgeneralization and opt for more precise terminology depending on the subject matter to maintain clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making the decision to breed

Explicitly states the decision-making process related to breeding.

choosing to reproduce

Emphasizes the act of reproduction as a conscious choice.

deciding on reproduction

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the act of reproduction after deliberation.

opting to mate

Focuses on the mating aspect of the decision, often used in animal breeding contexts.

settling on breeding

Indicates a final decision has been made to proceed with breeding.

planning to propagate

Suitable for plants or organisms where 'breeding' isn't typically used.

electing to procreate

A more formal and biological term for choosing to reproduce.

determining to rear offspring

Highlights the decision-making aspect concerning raising offspring.

resolving to cultivate

Suggests a deliberate and careful approach to breeding, often in agricultural contexts.

considering breeding options

Focuses on the preliminary stage of evaluating different breeding strategies.

FAQs

What does "deciding to breed" mean?

The phrase "deciding to breed" refers to making a conscious choice to reproduce animals or plants, often with the intention of improving or maintaining specific traits. It implies a deliberate plan for mating or propagation.

Is "deciding to breed" only used for animals?

While commonly used in the context of animals, "deciding to breed" can also apply to plants or, more rarely, to discussions about human reproduction, although more sensitive phrasing is typically preferred in the latter case.

What are some alternatives to "deciding to breed"?

You can use alternatives like "choosing to reproduce", "opting to mate", or "planning to propagate" depending on the context.

How can I use "deciding to breed" in a sentence?

You can use "deciding to breed" in a sentence like: "After carefully reviewing the lineage, the farmer is "deciding to breed" his prize-winning mare with a stallion from Kentucky."