infancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'infancy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk or write about a period near the beginning of a process, or about a very young child. Example sentence: The first few months after the company was founded were fraught with difficulties, but they were determined to see it through its infancy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The report said that abducted women and girls held by Boko Haram ranged in age from infancy to 65. "They and many others they saw in the camps were subjected to physical and psychological abuse; forced labour; forced participation in military operations, including carrying ammunition or luring men into ambush; forced marriage to the captors; and sexual abuse, including rape," the report says.

The Guardian

But like Canberra itself – stunted in infancy by decades of bureaucratic meddling, political indifference and the economic impact of the second world war – the George V monument faltered along, taking almost two decades to finish.

The Guardian

Yet in Finland, where there are 1.6m saunas for a population of five million, children often try them in infancy and almost everyone has at least one a week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Or could you defer it a bit longer?" Although smart grid technology is still in its infancy, the UK is recognised as a European leader for investment in smart grid research, partly due to the £500m Low Carbon Network government fund, which provides financial support for projects designed to test out ideas.

The Guardian

This word remains very rare, largely because the phenomenon it refers to is still in its infancy.

The Guardian - Books

The collaboration, known as the BioCycle, is still in its infancy.

The Guardian

"Learning to trust in earliest infancy is what then delivers children to school able to share with other children, to separate from their mothers and the confidence to learn.

The Guardian

In the 1990s, after the Soviet collapse and the hardship that followed, the country was just beginning to open up to the outside world: package tourism was in its infancy, and record companies from abroad had only just begun their musical truffle-hunt on the island.

The Guardian - Music

Evans first lodged a request to see memos between Charles and ministers in various departments when the Freedom of Information Act was in its infancy, coming into effect under Tony Blair at the start of 2005.

The Guardian

There is tremendous investment in neuroscience at the moment, but our understanding of the brain is in its infancy.

The Guardian

While in its infancy at the moment, iOS application Passbook (which allows you to store vouchers, boarding passes, event tickets) could allow both greater utility in terms of flight information, boarding passes and so on, as well as a more emotive option for exclusive offers, upgrades and content.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "infancy" to describe the beginning of a project or idea, ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is in its initial phase and has not yet fully developed. This avoids confusion with the literal meaning of early childhood.

Common error

Avoid using "infancy" too frequently as a metaphor for new projects or ideas. While it's appropriate occasionally, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, consider alternatives like "early stages" or "nascent phase" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infancy" is as a noun. It refers to the early period of life. As Ludwig AI states, "infancy" is correct and usable in written English, referring either to a very young child or a process near the beginning. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "infancy" is used in both these senses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "infancy" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the initial stage of life or the early phase of development for various concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, appearing across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific discussions. While "infancy" is versatile, remember to choose alternative phrases like "early stages" or "nascent phase" for variety and to prevent overuse, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing. "Infancy" commonly appears in the News & Media and Formal & Business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early childhood

Focuses specifically on the early years of a child's life.

infant years

Specifically relates to the period when someone is an infant.

babyhood

Highlights the period of being a baby.

early stages

Emphasizes the beginning phases of development or a process.

early development

Refers to the initial phase of growth and progress.

nascent phase

Indicates a newly emerged or beginning state.

budding phase

Implies a stage of initial growth and potential.

developmental beginnings

Highlights the initial phases of growth and maturation.

formative years

Refers to the period of significant development and influence.

initial period

Focuses on the commencement or outset of something.

FAQs

How can I use "infancy" in a sentence?

You can use "infancy" to refer to the early period of childhood, as in "She spent her infancy in rural Italy". It can also describe the beginning stages of something, like "The internet was still in its infancy in the early 1990s".

What's a good substitute for "infancy" when describing the early stages of a project?

Alternatives include "early stages", "nascent phase", or "developmental beginnings". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "in its infancy stage"?

While understandable, "in its infancy stage" is somewhat redundant. It's generally better to simply say something is "in its infancy" or "in its early stages". Consider also alternatives like "at the start", "just beginning", or "newly established".

What is the difference between "infancy" and "childhood"?

"Infancy" refers to the earliest period of childhood, typically from birth to around one year old. "Childhood" is a broader term that encompasses the entire period from infancy until adolescence. So, "childhood" includes infancy.