infant industry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infant industry" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a young, growing industry that has yet to become fully established. For example, "The local government is investing in a new infant industry that could create thousands of jobs for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"This is an infant industry.

The New York Times

Interesting idea, but infant industry is tricky.

The Economist

Genomic scanning is an infant industry that promises great things.

The Economist

"Infant industry" arguments were given great credence in Australia for decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet creating a niche infant industry of farms and mills would be an arduous process.

The Guardian

Still, the study notes that large scale commercial production of microalgae is still an "infant industry".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

The ideas of Friedrich List, a German economist who argued that tariffs boosted industrial development through the protection of infant industries, were gaining ground, particularly in the United States.

The Economist

The W.T.O. has allowed developing countries to retain much higher trade barriers than industrialized countries, on the theory that they have infant industries that may not have grown big enough to withstand global competition.

The New York Times

The main aim of import substitution industrialization is to achieve economic self-sufficiency by protecting infant industries until they reach a technological level whence they can compete in international trade.

Journal of Economic Structures

That's the trouble with infant industries; they keep getting too biggety for their britches.

The New Yorker

Thirty years later, the infant industries have yet to grow up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "infant industry", consider specifying the type of support it needs, such as "financial incentives" or "regulatory assistance", to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid using "infant industry" to describe a sector that has been operating for several years, even if it faces challenges. An "infant industry" is genuinely new and still developing its foundations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infant industry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a grammatically correct and usable term in English. It identifies a specific sector within an economy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infant industry" correctly describes a new and developing sector in the economy. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, consider providing more context about the type of support the industry needs. Avoid using it for sectors that are already well-established. Alternatives include "nascent industry" or "emerging industry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The term appears frequently in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its relevance in economic and policy discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nascent industry

Replaces 'infant' with 'nascent', emphasizing the early stage of development.

developing industry

Focuses on the ongoing process of growth and maturation.

emerging industry

Highlights the industry's recent appearance and potential for future growth.

fledgling industry

Emphasizes the newness and vulnerability of the industry.

newly established industry

Directly states the industry's recent creation.

growing sector

Replaces "industry" with "sector" to provide a broader perspective, highlighting growth.

sunrise industry

Implies a promising future and growth potential, similar to a sunrise.

start-up sector

Highlights the initial phase and innovative character.

early-stage market

Shifts the focus to the market aspect, emphasizing its immaturity.

underdeveloped sector

Highlights the lack of maturity and potential for future expansion and progress.

FAQs

What does the term "infant industry" mean?

The term "infant industry" refers to a new industry that is in its early stages of development and is not yet able to compete effectively with established industries, particularly those in other countries. It often requires government support to grow.

Why do "infant industries" often need government support?

"Infant industries" typically need government support, such as subsidies or tariffs, to protect them from larger, more established competitors. This support helps them develop and become competitive in the long term.

What are some examples of support for an "infant industry"?

Examples of support include tariffs on imported goods, subsidies to reduce production costs, tax incentives to encourage investment, and regulations that favor domestic companies. These measures aim to nurture the industry until it can compete globally.

What are some alternatives to calling something an "infant industry"?

You can use alternatives like "nascent industry", "emerging industry", or "developing industry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.