rates of extinction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rates of extinction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the frequency or speed at which species are becoming extinct. Example: "The rates of extinction have increased dramatically over the past century due to habitat loss and climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Second, the derived families that preferentially go extinct in Antarctica generally have lower rates of extinction at the global scale [10], meaning the global intrinsic extinction rate of the family is likely decoupled from the regional Antarctic pattern.

Plosone

Their study, which focused on the past and present rates of extinction, found that plant and animal life are going extinct 1,000 times faster than they did before the arrival of human populations.

HuffPost

Rates of extinction are selective.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Modern rates of extinction were eight to 100 times higher, the authors found.

The Guardian

As a result, rates of extinction of species are far above long-term averages.

The Guardian

Rates of extinction and proportions of threatened species thus increase with improved knowledge.

Harvard University

McKinney, M. High rates of extinction and threat in poorly studied taxa.

Nature

Various aspects of cocaine dependence have been investigated including reward, rates of extinction, and reinstatement.

Nature

In the meantime, rates of extinction and endangerment of species have soared.

The New York Times

Pimm, S. L. et al. The biodiversity of species and their rates of extinction, distribution, and protection.

Nature

Estimates of the magnitude of species extinction vary greatly, but one thing is clear – current rates of extinction far exceed those of past major extinction spasms.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rates of extinction" to quantify the severity of biodiversity loss and to emphasize the urgency of conservation efforts.

Common error

Avoid assuming a direct causal relationship between isolated environmental factors and "rates of extinction" without sufficient evidence. Ensure you consider multiple interacting variables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rates of extinction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It names a measurable quantity indicating how quickly species are disappearing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rates of extinction" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that quantifies how quickly species are disappearing. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various authoritative sources, primarily in science, news, and encyclopedias. Current rates are alarming due to their acceleration compared to historical norms, underscoring the biodiversity crisis. Related phrases like "extinction rates" and "species loss rates" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, context is crucial to provide specific details about the affected species or regions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extinction rates

Reverses the order of the words but maintains the same meaning.

species extinction rates

Adds the word "species" for increased specificity about what is going extinct.

species loss rates

Replaces "extinction" with "loss", emphasizing the reduction in species numbers.

decline in species numbers

Focuses on the decreasing numbers of species, rather than the act of extinction itself.

loss of biodiversity

Broadens the scope to include the overall reduction in the variety of life.

disappearance of species

Emphasizes the complete vanishing of species.

species depletion rates

Uses "depletion" to indicate a reduction in the number of species.

extinction crisis

Highlights the urgency and severity of the current extinction situation.

decimation of wildlife

Emphasizes the large-scale destruction of animal populations.

biological annihilation

Emphasizes the total destruction of life on the planet.

FAQs

What does "rates of extinction" mean?

The phrase "rates of extinction" refers to the speed at which species are disappearing from Earth, usually measured over a specific period, indicating the severity of biodiversity loss.

How are "rates of extinction" calculated?

Rates are typically calculated by comparing the number of species that go extinct over a defined time frame, often contrasted with historical or background extinction rates to highlight current trends.

What are some alternatives to "rates of extinction"?

You can use phrases like "extinction rates", "species loss rates", or "decline in species numbers" to express similar concepts.

Why are current "rates of extinction" a concern?

Current rates are alarming because they far exceed natural background rates, indicating a potential mass extinction event driven by human activities, threatening ecosystem stability and human well-being.