fertilized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fertilized" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts related to reproduction, agriculture, or biology. Example: "The fertilized egg began to develop into an embryo." Alternative expressions include "impregnated" and "inseminated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How they work is unclear, though researchers suspect that they cause a mild inflammation of the endometrium, thus inhibiting ovulation, preventing fertilization, or preventing implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine lining.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As many as half of the eggs fertilized die within 10 days of fertilization without the woman even knowing she has conceived.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since the 1960s a substantial increase in the number of births of quintuplets, sextuplets, and even septuplets has occurred; this unprecedented phenomenon stems from use by the female of fertility drugs, which cause the simultaneous ovulation of many eggs, and in vitro fertilization, a procedure in which several fertilized eggs are implanted in a woman at one time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because of their Christian idea – based on none of the kind of difficult facts Missourians claim (or at least claimed) to value – that a soul magically infuses a fertilized egg cell at the moment of conception.

The Guardian - Opinion

Along with Gingrich, Santorum supports "personhood" amendments, laws decreeing that a fertilized egg has the same rights under the United States constitution as those of us who happen to live outside the womb.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they eat their sisters before those siblings hatch.Each ant in the colony is asexual (ie, her eggs do not need to be fertilized), and each lays her eggs at the same time as her sisters.

The Economist

This fertilized egg is called a zygote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fertilized eggs usually hatch in water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fertilized eggs develop into swimming larvae.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the primary role of the egg obviously is to reproduce the species, most eggs laid by domestic fowl, except those specifically set aside for hatching, are not fertilized but are sold mainly for human consumption.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A queen produces eggs fertilized by sperm she has retained in her body from the mating flight; thus the individuals produced are diploid, but, unlike the queen, they are sterile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fertilized" in scientific writing, ensure you specify the agent and method of fertilization (e.g., "The egg was fertilized in vitro using donor sperm").

Common error

Avoid using "fertilized" interchangeably with terms like "pollinated" or "impregnated" without considering the specific context. "Pollinated" is specific to plants, while "impregnated" is often associated with mammals. Use "fertilized" as a general term for the union of male and female gametes, or choose the term that is most accurate within the given subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The term "fertilized" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb "fertilize". It's used to describe something that has undergone fertilization, such as a "fertilized egg", or soil that has been treated to enhance growth. Ludwig AI indicates that it adheres to standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "fertilized" is a past participle primarily used to describe something that has undergone fertilization. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees very common usage in contexts spanning encyclopedias, science, and news media. While it can be used in both biological and agricultural senses, it's crucial to consider the context when choosing between "fertilized" and related terms like "impregnated" or "pollinated". Overall, "fertilized" is a versatile term with widespread applicability across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impregnated

Implies the introduction of sperm into a female, leading to conception; often used in a biological context.

inseminated

Refers to the artificial introduction of semen into the vagina or uterus.

pollinated

Specifically relates to the transfer of pollen to a stigma, ovule, or flower for plant fertilization.

made fertile

Focuses on the outcome of becoming capable of reproduction or growth.

rendered productive

Highlights the result of enhancing the ability to produce something.

treated with fertilizer

Used in agricultural contexts to refer to the application of nutrients to soil or plants.

inoculated

Can relate to introducing something to encourage growth, but is more commonly used in medicine to mean introducing a disease or vaccine.

prepared for growth

General phrase indicating the creation of suitable conditions for growth.

enriched

Indicates the addition of elements to improve quality or productivity.

cultivated

Suggests the active process of developing or improving something, often referring to land or crops.

FAQs

How is "fertilized" generally used in a sentence?

The word "fertilized" typically functions as a past participle of the verb "fertilize". It is used to describe an egg, soil, or other medium that has been made capable of developing or producing offspring or growth. For example, "The "fertilized egg" began to divide."

What words can be used instead of "fertilized"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "impregnated", "inseminated", or "pollinated". For example, if you are talking about soil, you might say "the soil was enriched" instead of "the soil was fertilized".

Is it correct to use "fertilized" to describe soil?

Yes, it is correct. In agricultural and gardening contexts, "fertilized" is commonly used to describe soil that has been treated with nutrients to promote plant growth. This usage is distinct from its biological meaning related to the union of gametes.

What is the difference between "fertilized" and "unfertilized"?

"Fertilized" describes an egg or soil that has received sperm or nutrients, making it capable of development or growth. "Unfertilized" describes an egg or soil that has not received sperm or nutrients, and therefore lacks the potential for development or growth.