has been bred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been bred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the breeding of animals or plants, indicating that the breeding process has occurred in the past and has relevance to the present. Example: "The new variety of corn has been bred to withstand drought conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In others words, unhappiness has been bred into the French bone.

The New York Times

By comparison, some blight resistance has been bred into the hybrid for decades, Dr. Heisey said.

The New York Times

A KellyBronze turkey has been bred, fed, reared and prepared under optimum healthy and ethical conditions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Silver fox has been bred in Norway since 1913, the first platina appeared in 1933.

The New Yorker

Originally green with a red stripe on each side, the swordtail has been bred in many colour varieties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She has been studying a strain of laboratory mice which has been bred so that its members are genetically identical.

The Economist

A horse has been bred to be part-human – hence the Mesoamerican belief that mounted conquistadors were one entire animal.

The Guardian - Opinion

A bird that has been bred to reproduce naturally and thrive in the open develops tastier meat.

The New York Times

The other colony of rats has been bred from exactly the same stock, but for aggressiveness instead.

The New York Times - Health

The pungency that most people associate with mustard has been bred out of the oil, which is also low in saturated fats.

The New Yorker

There are still gaps, but now when you talk to soldiers, you see that the counterinsurgency doctrine has been bred into their bones.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been bred", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific traits or characteristics that were intentionally selected and propagated through breeding.

Common error

Avoid using "has been bred" in contexts where natural selection or environmental factors are the primary drivers of change, rather than intentional human intervention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been bred" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that a breeding process has been completed and its effects are still relevant. Ludwig's examples show it is commonly used to describe intentional modifications to species.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been bred" is a grammatically sound and common construction used to describe the intentional breeding of animals or plants for specific traits. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, remember to clearly indicate which traits have been intentionally selected. While alternatives like "has been cultivated" or "has been developed" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. Therefore, Ludwig emphasizes the importance of choosing the most accurate verb based on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been cultivated

Focuses more on plants or microorganisms and their intentional growth.

has been developed

Indicates a more general process of improvement or advancement, applicable to a wider range of subjects.

has been raised

Implies nurturing and upbringing, typically used for animals or people.

has been generated

Suggests the creation or production of something, often in a more abstract or technical sense.

has been propagated

Emphasizes the act of reproducing or multiplying, often used in botany.

has been selected

Highlights the process of choosing or favoring certain traits or individuals.

has been nurtured

Focuses on the care and attention given to something to help it grow or develop.

has been fostered

Implies encouragement and support for the growth or development of something.

has been improved

Denotes a betterment or enhancement of existing qualities.

has been refined

Suggests a process of purification or improvement to achieve a higher standard.

FAQs

How can I use "has been bred" in a sentence?

Use "has been bred" to describe the selective breeding of animals or plants for specific traits. For example, "This dog "has been bred" for its gentle temperament".

What are some alternatives to "has been bred"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "has been cultivated", "has been developed", or "has been raised".

Is it correct to say "was bred" instead of "has been bred"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "has been bred" implies a continuing relevance or result of the breeding process, while "was bred" refers to a past event.

What is the difference between "has been bred" and "has been genetically modified"?

"Has been bred" refers to selective breeding using natural reproduction, while "has been genetically modified" involves directly altering an organism's DNA in a laboratory.