in the infancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the infancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is in its early stages of development or growth. Example: "The project is still in the infancy of its development, and many changes are expected before its completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we're still in the infancy stages.

The New York Times - Sports

We're still in the infancy stages".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're in the infancy of our growth," Mr. Livengood said.

The New York Times

Yet we were still in the infancy of coincidence.

The Guardian

That strategy worked in the infancy of the first child, a placid daughter.

The New York Times

This was an especially common practice in the infancy of DVD, four to six years ago.

The New York Times

Fiona sees herself as being "in the infancy of old age".

The Guardian - Books

"We are in the infancy of trying to figure this out," Dr. Morris said.

The New York Times - Health

This is their beach, in the infancy of this new country.

The New York Times - Sports

Even in the infancy of the mobile news business, there are distinctive cultural accents to the business.

The New York Times

He first played sax with the Stones in the infancy of the Holy Roman Empire and he's still at it.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the infancy" to emphasize that something is new and still developing. For example, "The technology is in the infancy of its development" suggests significant future advancements are expected.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "in the infancy" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "just starting" or "early stages" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the infancy" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to describe the state of being in an early stage of development. Ludwig AI shows its use across different fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the infancy" is a prepositional phrase commonly used to describe something in its earliest stages of development. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While versatile, its slightly formal tone makes it more suitable for structured communication. Alternatives such as "in its early stages" or "just starting" can be used for more informal contexts. This phrase effectively conveys that something is new and has significant potential for growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in its early stages

Replaces "infancy" with a more general term for early development.

in its beginning phase

Focuses on the initial phase or period of development.

at the dawn of

Emphasizes the start or emergence of something new.

in the initial period

Highlights the temporal aspect of the beginning.

in its nascent state

Uses a more formal term to describe something newly formed or developing.

in the early days of

Refers to the beginning times or period of something.

just getting started

Indicates that something is only beginning and has much development ahead.

at the outset of

Highlights the very beginning or start of something.

in the formative years

Focuses on the period when something is being formed or developed.

in the bud

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe something that is just starting to grow or develop.

FAQs

How can I use "in the infancy" in a sentence?

The phrase "in the infancy" is used to describe something that is in its early stages of development. For example, "The field of artificial intelligence is still "in the infancy", with many potential applications yet to be explored".

What phrases are similar to "in the infancy"?

Similar phrases include "in its early stages", "in its beginning phase", or "at the dawn of". Each carries a similar meaning of being in the early development of something.

Is it appropriate to use "in the infancy" in all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "in the infancy" may be more suitable for formal or academic writing. In casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "just starting" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "in the infancy" and "in the early stages"?

Both phrases indicate that something is in its beginning, but "in the infancy" can imply a sense of immaturity or potential for rapid growth, whereas "in the early stages" is a more general term for initial development.