evolutionary advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evolutionary advantage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about biology, evolution, or natural selection to describe a trait or characteristic that increases an organism's chances of survival and reproduction. Example: "The ability to camouflage provides an evolutionary advantage to certain species, allowing them to evade predators."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What evolutionary advantage did it provide?

Harvard University

This sharpened their visual acuity and conferred an evolutionary advantage.

The New York Times - Books

Jakubowski reckons there's an evolutionary advantage to earworms.

The Guardian - Music

Fast digestion, in other words, could provide an evolutionary advantage.

The New York Times - Science

The tribe that took care of its sick gained the evolutionary advantage of strength in numbers.

The Guardian

When the herbicide is used, variants that are more tolerant of it have an evolutionary advantage.

The New York Times - Science

Our capacity to develop such habits is an invaluable evolutionary advantage.

The New York Times

As Darwin wrote, brightly colored feathers give certain species of birds an evolutionary advantage.

The New York Times - Arts

To compensate for this hazard, the calls must confer a significant evolutionary advantage, but what?

The New York Times - Science

This gives them a tremendous evolutionary advantage over Enlightenment agnosticism or atheism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet what could possibly be the evolutionary advantage of self-hurt in the female?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term effects, use "evolutionary advantage" to highlight how a trait contributes to the survival and propagation of a species over generations.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "evolutionary advantage" as an absolute guarantee of survival. Evolution is complex, and advantages can shift with changing environments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evolutionary advantage" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a characteristic or trait that confers a benefit in terms of survival and reproduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evolutionary advantage" is widely used across scientific, news, and academic contexts to describe traits that enhance survival and reproduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While grammatically sound and frequently employed, it's important to avoid overstating the certainty of an advantage, acknowledging the dynamic nature of evolutionary pressures. Alternatives such as "adaptive benefit" or "survival advantage" offer nuanced perspectives. Understanding its function, purpose, and register ensures its accurate and impactful application in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adaptive benefit

Focuses on the benefit derived from adaptation, emphasizing the adaptation process itself.

survival advantage

Highlights the direct impact on survival, emphasizing the ability to outlive competitors.

selective advantage

Emphasizes the role of natural selection in favoring certain traits.

fitness advantage

Relates to an organism's ability to pass on its genes, focusing on reproductive success.

evolutionary edge

Suggests a slight but significant advantage in the evolutionary race.

competitive advantage

Highlights the competitive aspect of evolution, emphasizing the ability to outperform others.

natural advantage

Indicates an inherent advantage due to natural processes, minimizing the role of chance.

inherited advantage

Focuses on the advantage being passed down through generations.

biological advantage

Highlights the biological basis of the advantage, focusing on physical and genetic traits.

trait selection

Emphasizes how selection pressures result in certain evolutionary features.

FAQs

How can I use "evolutionary advantage" in a sentence?

Use "evolutionary advantage" to describe a trait that increases an organism's likelihood of survival and reproduction, such as: "The development of camouflage provided an "evolutionary advantage" for the species."

What is a simple way to explain "evolutionary advantage"?

An "evolutionary advantage" is a trait that helps a species survive and reproduce better than other species without the trait. This could also be called "adaptive benefit" or "survival advantage".

Is "evolutionary advantage" the same as "adaptive trait"?

While related, they aren't exactly the same. An "evolutionary advantage" is the result of an adaptive trait. An adaptive trait is the specific feature that confers the "evolutionary advantage".

What are some examples of "evolutionary advantages" in humans?

Examples include bipedalism (walking upright), which freed hands for tool use, and a large brain, which allowed for complex problem-solving and social interactions. These traits are examples of "adaptive benefit" for human species.