infertile ground

USAGE SUMMARY

"infertile ground" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to describe a situation or environment that does not produce results or is unable to support growth, e.g. "The negotiations were taking place on infertile ground, so no agreement was reached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's as if Larsson were searching out the most laughably infertile ground for killings he could.

The New Yorker

I felt I was planting my seed in infertile ground," he said.

The Guardian - Film

The ultimate painting from the war, "Paths of Glory," simply shows two dead soldiers face down on the infertile ground.

The New York Times

The political upside is unclear, but for some the ideological bonus is that such uncertainty creates infertile ground for peace efforts.

The New York Times

"I felt I was planting my seed in infertile ground … As a black person, unfortunately, you have to work twice as hard to get half as far".

The Guardian

The combination seems to cry out, once again, for an activist and principled politics of the left.In left-wing terms, however, America is infertile ground.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Dry, infertile soil limited agriculture, and timber was rare.

The New Yorker

When a car battery manufacturer refused to allow women to do certain jobs unless they had a doctor's note stating they were infertile, on the grounds that lead exposure could harm a fetus, employees sued, and Justice Harry Blackmun wrote: Concern for a woman's existing or potential offspring historically has been the excuse for denying women equal employment opportunities.

The New York Times

They are still isolated, the ground is infertile, and land is rarely owned by those who work it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Arctic plants must contend with a harsh environment including low temperatures, continuous daylight in summer, infertile and often mobile soil and permanently frozen ground, and in many areas strong, dry winds and blowing snow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By shutting down criminal gangs, he says, the ground for terrorism becomes infertile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "infertile ground" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly establishes the comparison. For example, "The political climate was infertile ground for compromise."

Common error

Avoid using "infertile ground" when you actually mean "unstable ground" or "uneven ground". The term specifically refers to a lack of productivity, not physical characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infertile ground" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a literal or figurative area incapable of supporting growth or productivity. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infertile ground" is a noun phrase that describes a space or situation lacking the necessary conditions for growth or success. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it can be used literally to describe soil, it's often employed metaphorically to characterize unproductive environments or situations. Predominantly found in news and encyclopedic sources, the phrase carries a neutral register. For alternatives, consider "barren ground" or "unproductive ground", depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sterile ground

Replaces "infertile" with "sterile", emphasizing a complete absence of life or productivity.

unproductive ground

Substitutes "infertile" with "unproductive", focusing on the lack of output or results.

barren ground

Uses "barren" instead of "infertile", highlighting the emptiness and lack of fertility.

infertile land

Replaces "ground" with the more general term "land", broadening the context.

unfruitful soil

Replaces "ground" with "soil" making the analogy to agriculture explicit; "unfruitful" emphasizes the lack of positive results.

non-productive environment

Shifts from a literal to a figurative sense, referring to an environment that does not foster productivity.

unpromising situation

Moves further into figurative language, describing a situation that lacks potential.

challenging environment

Describes the environment as difficult, suggesting that success is hard to achieve.

difficult circumstances

Focuses on the hardship and lack of favorable conditions.

hostile environment

Emphasizes the antagonistic nature of the environment, hindering growth and development.

FAQs

How can I use "infertile ground" in a sentence?

You can use "infertile ground" to describe a physical area that's unable to sustain growth, or figuratively to describe situations or environments that aren't conducive to success or progress. For example, "The project failed because it was launched on "unpromising situation"."

What can I say instead of "infertile ground"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "barren ground", "unproductive ground", or "hostile environment".

Is "infertile ground" always about physical soil?

No, "infertile ground" is often used metaphorically to describe situations or environments that are unlikely to produce positive results or growth. Think of it as a place where ideas or projects can't thrive, similar to "unpromising situation".

Which is the best way to use "infertile ground", literally or figuratively?

Both literal and figurative usages of "infertile ground" are valid. The best choice depends on the context. If you're talking about agriculture, use it literally. If you're describing a business climate or social situation, a figurative usage can add depth.