fall pregnant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fall pregnant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe the process of becoming pregnant. Example: "After trying for several months, she was thrilled to finally fall pregnant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they are careful not to fall pregnant.

The Economist

Is she ready now? "I don't know … I can't even fall pregnant.

The Guardian - Film

Why sleep with men who will abandon you if you fall pregnant?

The Guardian - Opinion

It took six years of trying for me to fall pregnant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I knew you were going to fall pregnant!' They beat you".

The New York Times - Magazine

But by then, even if I couldn't fall pregnant, I wanted to have tried absolutely everything.

The Guardian

Young black and Hispanic women still fall pregnant at a much higher rate than do their white peers.

The Economist

Qatar Airways will no longer sack women who fall pregnant or require them to seek permission to get married.

Independent

A man differed: "The reason women fall pregnant is that we see females in the street in a miniskirt".

The New York Times - Magazine

Most fall pregnant because they want the money" — the South African government's grant of $30 per month per child.

The New York Times - Magazine

On top of this, about 30,000 working women are sacked or made redundant each year when they fall pregnant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fall pregnant" in informal contexts. In formal or medical settings, "become pregnant" is often preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "fall pregnant" in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more neutral or technical terms like "become pregnant" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fall pregnant" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of becoming pregnant. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the process leading to pregnancy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Unknown

7%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fall pregnant" is a verb phrase meaning to become pregnant. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable, typically in informal contexts. While "become pregnant" is a more formal alternative, "fall pregnant" is widely used across various contexts, including news media and scientific publications. Its high frequency and consistent usage make it a valuable part of the English lexicon, especially for describing the process of becoming pregnant in a straightforward manner. While generally acceptable, writers should consider their audience and the overall tone of their work when choosing between "fall pregnant" and its more formal counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become pregnant

More formal and direct.

get pregnant

More colloquial and common.

conceive a child

More clinical and less common.

expecting a baby

Focuses on the result of being pregnant rather than the act of becoming pregnant.

become a mother

Focuses on motherhood rather than pregnancy.

start a family

Broader meaning that encompasses more than just pregnancy.

be with child

Archaic and literary.

carry a child

Emphasizes carrying the baby to term.

have a bun in the oven

Informal and humorous.

find oneself pregnant

Implies an unexpected or unintentional pregnancy.

FAQs

What does "fall pregnant" mean?

The phrase "fall pregnant" means to become pregnant.

What can I say instead of "fall pregnant"?

You can use alternatives like "become pregnant" or "get pregnant" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fell pregnant"?

Yes, "fell pregnant" is the past tense of "fall pregnant".

What is the difference between "fall pregnant" and "become pregnant"?

The phrase "fall pregnant" is more informal than "become pregnant", which is considered more neutral and suitable for formal contexts.