lineage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lineage' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a sequence of ancestors, so you could use it when referring to the ancestors of someone or something. For example: "This family has a long and illustrious lineage going back centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They don't want to be firebrands; their music is what Holman calls "social documentation" in the lineage of the Streets, rather than Rage Against The Machine.

The Guardian - Music

Salman stands to be succeeded in turn by Prince Muqrin, 69, the deputy crown prince, an RAF-trained fighter pilot and former intelligence chief whose prospects are often questioned because he was born to a Yemeni rather than a Saudi mother of "approved" tribal lineage.

The Guardian

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given its lineage, OS was organised along strong principles of leaderlessness, horizontality and consensus.

The Guardian

Hume and Mallon can trace their political lineage back to the founding father of peaceful constitutional nationalism, Daniel O'Connell, and on through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to Charles Stewart Parnell to John Redmond.

The Guardian

The long Hollywood lineage of films about the FBI bringing rich, unreachable men to justice has lent a distinct movie-like quality to the crumbling of Sepp Blatter and Fifa, from the dawn arrests of accused high-ups at their five-star Zurich hotel, through the criminal confessions of Chuck Blazer, to the still pinch-yourself moment the president announced his fall.

The Guardian - Sport

He also shares a cultural lineage with the sounds of South African musicians he grew up listening to.

The Guardian - Tech

It does not help that Khan is an Indian Muslim of Pashtun lineage.

The Guardian - Film

The chromosome-happy frog is a member of an ancient lineage of amphibians known as pipids, which are only represented today by about 30 species that lack tongues and stick solely to water.

The Guardian

Problem: Small-scale dairy farmers often living in remote areas don't have access to valuable information about latest prices of milk or cattle, and they may not keep accurate records of important details such as their cows' gestation periods or their livestock's lineage – often resulting in inbreeding and disease.

The Guardian

If you trace the lineage of big American sitcoms all the way back to Cheers, each of them at least had something going for it.

The Guardian

Spoek shares what he calls a cultural lineage with this movement.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ancestry, clarify the specific aspect of "lineage" you're addressing, such as genetic, cultural, or historical connections.

Common error

While "lineage" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler terms like "family history" or "ancestry" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The noun "lineage" primarily functions as a descriptor of ancestry or descent. It denotes a sequence of ancestors from whom a person, animal, or thing is descended. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lineage" is a noun used to describe ancestry or descent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While grammatically sound, it's best to use it when precision or formality is required and is frequently found in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist. For more casual settings, simpler terms such as "family history" may be more appropriate. When using "lineage", clarify the specific aspect, such as genetic or cultural, to enhance clarity. A high expert rating confirms its reliability and appropriateness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ancestral descent

Focuses more explicitly on the concept of descent from ancestors.

family ancestry

Highlights the familial aspect of ancestral origins.

genealogical heritage

Emphasizes the formal, genealogical study of family history.

pedigree and origins

Combines the idea of a recorded ancestry with the concept of beginnings.

bloodline and descent

Focuses on the hereditary aspect and the act of descending from ancestors.

roots and heritage

Emphasizes the foundational origins and cultural inheritance.

family tree

Uses a more visual metaphor for ancestral connections.

ancestral background

Highlights the overall historical and cultural context of one's ancestors.

parental ancestry

Specifically points to the ancestry through the parents.

hereditary succession

Implies a passing down of traits or titles through generations.

FAQs

How can I use "lineage" in a sentence?

You can use "lineage" to describe someone's ancestry or descent. For example, "The queen's "lineage" can be traced back to the 15th century."

What words can I use instead of "lineage"?

You can use alternatives like "ancestry", "descent", or "pedigree" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "lineage" and "ancestry"?

"Lineage" typically refers to a direct line of descent from an ancestor, while "ancestry" encompasses all of one's ancestors.

Is it correct to say "family lineage"? Isn't that redundant?

While "lineage" already implies family, "family lineage" can be used for emphasis or to specify that you're discussing familial rather than, say, artistic or intellectual descent.