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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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surrogate

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "surrogate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or an adjective and has various meanings related to someone standing in for another person or thing. For example: "My brother and his wife used a surrogate to have their baby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should be forced to give so many exceptions and concessions (inevitably to the benefit of high spending authorities in inner London) that the flat-rate poll tax would rapidly become a surrogate income tax".

News & Media

The Guardian

Jonathan Kent's production this evocation of the rackety world of American vaudeville – with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents – boasted a breathtaking performance from Imelda Staunton, who played Mama Rose not as some implacable monster but as a jaunty, defiant woman seeking surrogate stardom through the showbiz success of her two daughters.

News & Media

The Guardian

The indefensible acceptance of money from a surrogate donor is being exploited by Christopher Huhne as a part of his Liberal Democrat leadership campaign.

Details have emerged of an Australian couple abandoning one of their twins born to a surrogate in 2012, with the family court chief justice, Diana Bryant, alleging the decision was based on the sex of the child.

News & Media

The Guardian

Villains unworthy of vilification can be found in everything from the Austin Powers comedies, where the insufficiently wicked plans of Dr Evil positively drip bathos, to Skyfall, where Javier Bardem essentially played a neglected son jealous of Bond's relationship with their surrogate mother, M. Children's films have been veering this way for a while.

Related: Bill Clinton says foundation has 'never done anything knowingly inappropriate' As the 2016 race heats up, the Hillary Clinton campaign is working through the question of what to do with its most talented, most complicated surrogate.

News & Media

The Guardian

It was partly working on the film of Billy Elliot and becoming a surrogate father to its star, Jamie Bell, that confirmed Daldry's desire to have a family of his own.

It is understood that the talks have so far failed to resolve how the show would work in Clarkson's absence, with May previously suggesting that the format would be "lame" with a "surrogate" Clarkson.

News & Media

The Guardian

In 2008, Samantha Power, now US ambassador to the United Nations and then a campaign surrogate for Obama, recorded a campaign video urging Armenian-Americans to vote for him because he would "call a spade a spade and speak truth about it.

News & Media

The Guardian

Originally these were internet cafes where otaku could gather to drink coffee and read comics: they've subsequently morphed into surrogate bedroom services.

Former foreign ministers Bob Carr and Kevin Rudd say they do not recall dealing with a case involving Australian parents accused of abandoning a surrogate child in India two years ago.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surrogate", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being replaced and the nature of the substitution. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the writing.

Common error

Avoid using "surrogate" interchangeably with words like "replacement" or "substitute" without considering the specific nuance. "Surrogate" often implies a more complex or nuanced relationship of standing in for something else, especially in emotional or legal contexts.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The word "surrogate" functions primarily as a noun or adjective, denoting a substitute or replacement. Ludwig AI indicates that this word is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts such as "surrogate mother" and "surrogate donor".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surrogate" is a versatile term that correctly signifies a substitute or replacement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and usability. Its primary function is to denote substitution, and it appears most frequently in news and formal contexts. When writing, ensure the context makes clear what entity is being replaced to avoid ambiguity. While synonyms exist, "surrogate" often implies a more nuanced relationship, especially in emotional or legal settings.

FAQs

How is the word "surrogate" used in a sentence?

The word "surrogate" can function as a noun, adjective, or verb. As a noun, it refers to a substitute; as an adjective, it describes something that acts as a substitute; and as a verb, it means to replace. For example: "She acted as a "surrogate mother" for the couple."

What are some synonyms for "surrogate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "substitute", "replacement", "proxy", or "deputy". The best choice will depend on the precise meaning you wish to convey.

What does "surrogate" mean in a medical context?

In medicine, "surrogate" often refers to a woman who carries and delivers a child for another couple or individual. This is known as "surrogate motherhood".

Is it correct to say "surrogate" when referring to an object?

Yes, "surrogate" can also refer to an object that substitutes for something else. For example, in clinical trials, researchers may use "surrogate endpoints" to measure the effectiveness of a treatment when direct measurement is difficult or impractical.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: