fledging

USAGE SUMMARY

'fledging' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means 'beginning to develop or having just developed the ability to do something'. Example sentence: The fledging musician had just started to learn how to play the piano.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This has advantages: it gives fledging companies the backing of a known brand; but some wonder how Internet firms will fare if still controlled by stodgy founders.The naïve might expect that Europe's fragmented markets would mean lower valuations.

The Economist

Fledging, the stage in which the young are prepared for adulthood, concludes when the young are 10 12 weeks old.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The coloration of the juvenile plumage of the young whydah is identical to that of the host species, ensuring that the whydah will be fed after fledging.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fledging, the stage in which the young are prepared for adulthood, occurs during early March.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After fledging, the young may continue to roost in the nest at night with their parents for several months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lack found that the birds with four or five young were less successful (that is, rearing fewer young to fledging) than those in a control group who reared a normal-sized brood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The move may be viewed as an attempt to increase the popularity of fledging social network Google+.

Independent

"This clique, stunted by ineptitude, distracted by power games and the pursuit of material comforts, was unwilling, if not incapable, of saving our fledging new nation".

Independent

He added: "Extensive monitoring work shows that good numbers of young puffins are successfully fledging each year but it would appear they're just not coming back to the islands the following years.

Independent

By monitoring the penguins from hatching to fledging, Fraser determined that pairs of Adélie penguins in his study area successfully raised, on average, 1.3 chicks to fledging.

The New Yorker

How can the Egyptian People cope with the covert reality that their natural leader, instinctively, sits in the White house trying to get a handle on their tutelage but fledging democracy?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fledging" to describe something new and still developing, but with potential for future growth. It adds a nuanced understanding of the subject's current state.

Common error

Avoid using "fledging" to describe something fully established or mature. It's most appropriate for entities or ideas in their early stages of development.

Linguistic Context

The term "fledging" functions primarily as an adjective or a present participle. As confirmed by Ludwig, it modifies nouns, describing entities in their initial stages of development or processes that are currently unfolding. Examples include "fledging companies" or "fledging democracy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fledging" is a grammatically sound term that describes something in its early stages of development. According to Ludwig, it can be used as both an adjective and a present participle. Its use is prevalent in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "nascent" or "emerging" exist, "fledging" offers a specific nuance of potential and ongoing growth. Remember to avoid applying "fledging" to well-established entities; it's best reserved for those that are just beginning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nascent

Implies a state of just coming into existence and showing potential.

emerging

Suggests a process of becoming apparent or prominent.

developing

Focuses on the continuous process of growth and advancement.

beginning

Highlights the initial stage of a process or activity.

budding

Evokes an image of potential and growth, similar to a plant.

youthful

Emphasizes the newness and inexperience associated with youth.

inexperienced

Directly points out the lack of practical knowledge or skill.

rookie

Informal term for someone new to a particular field or activity.

start-up

Specifically refers to a new business venture in its initial phase.

inceptive

Describes the stage of beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "fledging" in a sentence?

You can use "fledging" to describe something that is new and developing, like a "fledging" business or a "fledging" democracy. For example: "The "fledging company" secured its first round of funding."

What are some alternatives to "fledging"?

Alternatives to "fledging" include "nascent", "emerging", and "developing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "fledging" to describe a person?

Yes, "fledging" can describe a person who is new to a field or activity. For instance, you might refer to a "fledging" actor or a "fledging" writer.

What is the difference between "fledgling" and "fledging"?

"Fledgling" is typically used as a noun to describe a young bird just learning to fly or a person new to an activity. "Fledging" is the present participle of the verb "fledge", but can also be used as an adjective.