mated to each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mated to each other" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing relationships, particularly in biology or animal behavior, to describe two entities that are paired or bonded together. Example: "The two birds were mated to each other, building a nest together in the tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And the cloned mice seem normal--as were clones of clones and offspring of clones mated to each other.

Science Magazine

These mice were subsequently mated to each other or to C3H/HeJ to generate homozygotes and compound heterozygotes, respectively.

Human Molecular Genetics

F1 and F2 animals from different litters within each exposure group were mated to each other, avoiding sibling inbreeding (six females and six males per exposure group).

Environmental Health Perspectives

In one commonly used strategy, two or more strains of mice that are known to differ with regard to the alcohol-related trait under investigation are mated to each other and their offspring (called the F1 generation) then are interbred to create a population (the F2 generation) in which the individual animals possess genes from each of the originating strains in different proportions.

Alcohol research : current reviews

To make this happen you will need to get a pair of clownfish that are already bonded, in other words mated to each other.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In the case of parts that thread together, they will mate to each other.

WikiHow

If the parts to be welded do not mate to each other, they must be held in position by some external mounting means.

WikiHow

After this cleaning, the NAM "hub" parent, IA3023 (which was mated to each of the other 40 NAM parents), was sequenced to a depth of 31×.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Each line was starved, mated to each of the others and 44 single mating pairs isolated into separate drops of standard growth medium (Hamilton and Orias, 2000).

eLife

What they come to realize, though, is that their true passion — books — can be fulfilled only by their being lifelong soul mates to each other.

The New York Times

Additionally, fostered pups were allowed to age to 4 months and were themselves mated with each other to examine lactating mammary glands from fostered females as well as small intestines from the resulting pups.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing animal breeding programs or genetic studies, use "mated to each other" to accurately convey the controlled pairing of subjects. For example, "F1 mice were then mated to each other to identify proteins transferred during mating."

Common error

Be cautious when using "mated to each other" in metaphorical contexts. Overusing it can sound awkward or unintentionally comical. For general relationship descriptions, consider more versatile alternatives like "bonded to each other" or "linked to each other" for broader applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mated to each other" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often found in scientific and biological contexts. It describes a deliberate pairing, especially in breeding programs or genetic studies, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

85%

News & Media

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mated to each other" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that primarily appears in scientific and biological contexts to describe the controlled pairing of individuals for breeding purposes. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is precise and deliberate, often emphasizing intentionality within research or animal husbandry settings. While Ludwig indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase, its applicability outside of specific domains can be limited. Thus, consider more general alternatives like "paired with each other" or "linked to each other" for broader contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paired with one another

Replaces "each other" with "one another", maintaining the reciprocal relationship but altering the wording.

coupled with each other

Uses "coupled" instead of "mated", suggesting a joining or connection, with the addition of preposition "with".

bonded to each other

Emphasizes the emotional or physical connection between the subjects, rather than just the mating aspect.

joined to each other

Focuses on the act of joining or uniting, which can be physical or metaphorical.

linked to each other

Highlights a connection or association, which might not necessarily imply a direct pairing for reproduction.

associated with each other

Indicates a relationship or connection, but more generally than a mating or bonding.

interconnected with each other

Stresses the mutual and complex relationships between the subjects.

related to each other

Points out a relationship, but doesn't suggest a physical bond. It could be family-related.

partners with each other

Focuses on partnership and collaboration, potentially lacking the biological connotation.

allied with each other

Suggests a union for a specific purpose, often in a strategic or cooperative context, rather than biological.

FAQs

What does it mean when animals are described as "mated to each other"?

When animals are described as "mated to each other", it typically means they have been specifically paired for breeding purposes, often in the context of scientific research or animal husbandry.

Is "mated to each other" the same as "paired with each other"?

While similar, "paired with each other" is a broader term that can imply a relationship beyond just breeding. "Mated to each other" specifically refers to the act of pairing for reproduction.

Can "mated to each other" be used in non-biological contexts?

While primarily used in biological contexts, "mated to each other" can be used metaphorically to describe a close partnership or union, though this is less common and should be used carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

What are some alternative ways to describe a breeding pair besides saying they are "mated to each other"?

Alternatives include "bred together", "paired for breeding", or simply stating that they "were paired" depending on the level of formality required.