genus

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'genus' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of animals or plants of similar characteristics that are related to each other and are often given a common name. For example, "The genus Panthera includes the four big cats: lion, tiger, jaguar, and leopard."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's often the brilliance of a thought, that people put their own meaning in to it," says Hegarty, one of the founders of the BBH agency, recalling his trip 30 years ago to the Audi workshop during which the genus of the idea was born.

The Guardian

Steven McPhee Researchers knew the very basics of lesula, whose name is both singular and plural like 'sheep' or 'deer.' It was clearly a guenon monkey (in the genus Cercopithecus), but distinguished by large eye sockets, distinct vocalisations, and some unusual behaviours.

The Guardian

It has been quarantining cocoa plants since the 1980s, allowing the safe movement of different varieties of cocoa (genus theo broma food of the gods) from one country to another, without the risk of disease.

The Economist

Instead of finding a "living fossil" identical to an ancient beast, they have found a real fossil identical to a modern one.The fossil in question, a 100m-year-old specimen from north-east Brazil, belongs to the genus Schizodactylus.

The Economist

And the genus is still doing duty in evolutionary biologists' laboratories.

The Economist

In one case, involving a genus called Massospondylus (ancestral members of the group that includes animals like Diplodocus), he found that only four of nine points on the graph came from data cited in the paper.Gregory Erickson of Florida State University, lead author of the three papers whose conclusions Dr Myhrvold questioned, said:We understand that Myhrvold has questioned our methodology.

The Economist

An old dream of those who seek to eliminate malaria is thus a way of selectively killing only what transmits the parasite: mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, most notably Anopheles gambiae.

The Economist

Algae of the genus Chaetoceros kill fish by clogging their gills.

The Economist

The horn-rimmed glasses, the bow tie and the expression of perpetual questioning proclaimed him as a liberal (American genus) to everyone who saw him.Arthur Schlesinger junior knew that he was frozen in the past.

The Economist

Wollstonecraft was groping towards the future when she described herself as belonging to "a new genus".

The Economist

The most famous is Brontosaurus, the genus name of the sauropod dinosaur.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about biological classification, use "genus" to refer to the taxonomic rank above species. Always italicize the genus name in scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid using "genus" interchangeably with "species" or "family". "Genus" has a specific place in the Linnaean system. A genus groups related species, while a family groups related genera.

Linguistic Context

The noun "genus" primarily functions as a taxonomic term in biology, denoting a rank in the classification of organisms below family and above species. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "genus" is a grammatically correct noun, primarily used in scientific contexts to refer to a taxonomic rank. Ludwig, validates its appropriate usage. It is most commonly found in scientific literature, news articles reporting on scientific findings, and encyclopedic entries. When using "genus", remember to italicize it in scientific writing and avoid confusing it with other taxonomic ranks such as species or family. Understanding its proper usage enhances clarity and precision in scientific communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taxonomic rank

Focuses on the hierarchical position within biological classification.

biological classification group

Emphasizes the grouping aspect within the classification system of living organisms.

taxonomic category

Highlights the classification of organisms based on shared characteristics.

group of species

Directly refers to the collection of related species under a common classification.

class of organisms

Emphasizes the broader classification into distinct groups of living beings.

type of species

Highlights a distinct kind or sort of species.

scientific classification level

Focuses on the rank or position within a scientific grouping system.

category of life

Emphasizes a particular classification of living things.

classification group

Refers to the grouping based on shared characteristics in a classification system.

kind of organism

Stresses the specific type or sort of living thing.

FAQs

How is "genus" used in scientific nomenclature?

In binomial nomenclature, the "genus" name is the first part of a two-part scientific name, followed by the species name. For example, in Homo sapiens, Homo is the genus.

What is the difference between "species" and genus?

A genus is a broader classification that includes one or more closely related species. A species is a more specific classification within a genus. So, several "species" can belong to the same genus.

How do scientists determine if a group of organisms belongs to a new genus?

Scientists look at various characteristics, including genetic, morphological, and ecological traits. If the differences are significant enough to distinguish the group from existing genera, it may be classified as a new genus.

What are some examples of well-known genera?

Some examples include Canis (which includes wolves, dogs, and coyotes), Felis (which includes domestic cats), and Quercus (which includes oak trees).