incubating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'incubating' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It can be used as either a verb or an adjective. As a verb, 'incubating' means to provide the necessary conditions for growth or development. It is often used in scientific or medical contexts, such as in the process of incubating eggs or incubating bacteria in a laboratory. Example: The scientists are incubating the cells in a controlled environment to study their growth patterns. As an adjective, 'incubating' describes something that is undergoing the process of incubation. Example: The newly laid eggs are incubating under the warmth of the mother bird's body.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He and Clara spent two "rewarding years" in Cambodia and Cochin China (contemporary Vietnam), which Todd describes as a political incubation period, and they informed Malraux's prescient grasp of Asia's incubating geopolitical importance.

The New Yorker

Ships that arrive from west Africa will have travelled for more than 21 days before landing in the UK, so anybody incubating the virus would have become ill on board and the authorities would be alerted.

The Guardian

You're not exactly incubating the eggs yourself but it feels like that," he says.

The Guardian

Officials are minimising the threat by screening travellers, though apparently healthy people can be incubating Ebola.But to quarantine an entire chunk of west Africa would be both wrong and futile.

The Economist

The party looks ever less inclined to rein in Malay supremacists and Islamist firebrands incubating on its fringes.

The Economist

Add strong unions, the German tradition of apprenticeships, and low labour mobility, and it is no wonder that few twentysomethings are incubating their own businesses.Yet despite all this, here too the first signs of a youth movement are starting to emerge.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Most birds build a nest and incubate their eggs, but the incubator birds and such brood parasites as cuckoos are among the exceptions to this rule.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three or four white eggs are incubated by both sexes, with the female incubating at night.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The centre has since incubated over 100 companies.

The Guardian

The seeds thus sown incubated under Japan's rule (1910-45), and have sprouted wildly since.

The Economist

The campaigns involved (Global Zero, All Out and Meu Rio) were incubated by Purpose.com, a young company headquartered in New York.The business was co-founded by Jeremy Heimans, who calls himself a "movement entrepreneur".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incubating" in scientific contexts, specify the conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) to provide a clear and accurate description.

Common error

Avoid using "incubating" metaphorically when simpler words like "developing" or "fostering" would be more appropriate for clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "incubating" is as a verb form, specifically the present participle or gerund of the verb incubate. It indicates an ongoing process of providing suitable conditions for development, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "incubating" functions primarily as a verb, describing the ongoing process of providing optimal conditions for development. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. While commonly found in scientific and technical contexts, "incubating" also appears in news and general media. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate its versatility, applicable to both literal and metaphorical senses. When using "incubating", consider its technical connotations and choose simpler alternatives like "developing" or "fostering" in less formal settings to enhance clarity. Its high frequency and varied usage across authoritative sources, like The Economist and Encyclopedia Britannica, confirm its validity and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fostering

Focuses on actively promoting growth and development, rather than just maintaining conditions.

nurturing

Implies care and attention to ensure healthy growth, with a more gentle connotation.

developing

Emphasizes the process of growth and change over time.

cultivating

Suggests careful planning and effort to promote growth, especially in a controlled environment.

promoting

Highlights active support and encouragement for something to flourish.

breeding

Specifically refers to the process of producing offspring, often in a controlled setting.

gestating

Specifically refers to the period of development inside the womb.

maturing

Emphasizes the process of becoming fully developed or ripe.

growing

A general term for increasing in size or development.

hatching

Specifically refers to the process of an egg breaking open.

FAQs

How is "incubating" used in scientific research?

In research, "incubating" typically refers to maintaining cells, bacteria, or embryos under controlled conditions to promote growth or development. For example, scientists might "incubating cells" in a lab to study their behavior.

What are some alternatives to using "incubating" in a business context?

In business, instead of "incubating", consider using terms like "fostering", "developing", or "cultivating" when referring to projects or ideas.

What's the difference between "incubating" and "gestating"?

"Incubating" generally refers to maintaining something in conditions favorable for development, like eggs or bacteria. "Gestating", on the other hand, specifically describes the development of a fetus inside the womb.

Is it correct to use "incubating" to describe a person's thoughts or ideas?

Yes, "incubating" can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is developing or "nurturing" an idea over time. However, ensure the context is appropriate and not overly technical.