embryos

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "embryos" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to biology, medicine, or discussions about reproduction and development. Example: "The research focused on the development of embryos in the early stages of gestation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A 2005 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that of 58 couples with leftover embryos, 72% hadn't decided what to do with them.

The Guardian

They would have preferred to donate the embryos to science, but at the time, embryonic stem cell research was banned, so that choice was off the table.

The Guardian

"I felt this need to know whether there was potentially another viable life among the embryos," she says.

The Guardian

"The relationship sours," she says, "and one person wants to use the embryos and the other partner does not want to use them".

The Guardian

The couple wound up with three embryos, implanted two and had a boy.

The Guardian

On DC Urban Moms and Dads, an online parenting message board, one woman posted that after debating the options for her leftover embryos, she brought the vials home, "burned some incense, held them and cried.

The Guardian

Family life felt full and busy, she says, "but then it started weighing on me that we have four frozen embryos that potentially could be another sibling for the two that we have".

The Guardian

In 2006, a year after their IVF cycle, the Washington couple received a bill in the mail for nearly $1,000, with a letter asking what they wanted the clinic to do with their six remaining embryos.

The Guardian

"I was more concerned with, 'We only have three attempts covered by insurance – are we going to spend money after that if we don't have a kid?'" If it were solely up to her husband, they might try to donate the remaining embryos to scientific research, but that option doesn't sit well with Elizabeth.

The Guardian

And although donating embryos to other people has for many years been arduous and time-consuming, leaders in the field are trying to streamline the process to make it easier "to offer more embryos for adoption and for [adoptive parents] to find them".

The Guardian

Loblein was so conscious of the possibility of having extra embryos that when she and her husband had trouble conceiving, they first attempted natural-cycle IVF, fertilising only one egg at a time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "embryos" in scientific writing, be precise about the developmental stage and species. Use specific terminology when discussing "embryos" in different contexts, for example, when discussing human "embryos" versus animal "embryos".

Common error

Avoid using "embryos" as a blanket term for all early developmental stages. Differentiate between zygotes, blastocysts, and "embryos" based on the context and stage of development to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "embryos" is as a noun, specifically the plural form of "embryo". It functions as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple organisms in the early stages of development. As shown in Ludwig, "embryos" appear in various sentences, often in a scientific or medical context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "embryos" serves as a grammatically correct noun frequently employed in scientific, medical, and ethical discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent usage across varied source types. The term's function is primarily to denote organisms in their early stages of development, particularly within contexts concerning reproduction or medical procedures like IVF. Predominantly, "embryos" appears in news articles and science reports. When writing about "embryos", precision is essential, especially regarding developmental stages and species, while avoiding overgeneralization to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fertilized eggs

Refers to the initial stage after fertilization, highlighting the genetic combination.

developing organisms

Emphasizes the process of growth and differentiation from a basic form.

early-stage fetuses

Focuses on the developmental stage and the organism's characteristics.

pre-implantation conceptuses

Highlights the stage before implantation in the uterus.

zygotes

Refers to the single cell formed by fertilization before cleavage.

germinal discs

Focuses on the formative layer of cells in early development.

gestational sacs

Emphasizes the structure containing the developing embryo.

prenatal organisms

Broadly refers to organisms before birth.

developing blastocysts

Specifically references the blastocyst stage of development.

oocytes

Refers to the precursor cells to eggs, before fertilization.

FAQs

How are "embryos" typically used in scientific research?

"Embryos" are used in various research areas, including stem cell research, developmental biology, and genetic studies. Research may involve studying their growth, genetic makeup, or potential for differentiation.

What are some ethical considerations when working with human "embryos"?

Ethical considerations include the moral status of "embryos", the permissibility of their creation and destruction for research, and issues related to informed consent and equitable access to reproductive technologies.

What's the difference between "embryos" and "fetuses"?

"Embryos" refer to the early stages of development, typically from fertilization to the eighth week of gestation in humans. After this stage, the developing organism is referred to as a "fetuses".

What factors influence the health and development of "embryos"?

Genetic factors, maternal health (including nutrition and exposure to toxins), and environmental conditions can all influence the health and development of "embryos".