that might breed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that might breed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest the possibility of something leading to the development or creation of another thing, often in a negative or cautionary context. Example: "The new policy has several loopholes that might breed corruption within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As malaria rates drop, tests can prevent improper treatment that might breed resistance.

The Economist

Why is it important to kill off an ant that might breed off-season when that ant is your genetic twin?

The New York Times - Science

Yes, it's largely following a formula that might breed fatigue, but ask yourself a question: can you ever really tire of being Batman?

Vice

If you buy a female and male fish that might breed, find out if they will be aggressive to other fish.

WikiHow

And that might breed yet more trouble.

The Economist

That might breed resentment that could haunt American in the future.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He has the romantic suspicion that happiness might breed complacency.

The New York Times - Magazine

One user was sanguine about the possibility that familiarity might breed contentment: "Hate it at present, will love it in a week, no doubt, and will have completely forgotten what the old layout looked like in a month (or considerably less)." The old site lacked the tools and flexibility our web developers need to change ways of hosting and accessing different types of content.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite repeated attempts at socialization during his 18-year residency, he has shown no improvement and is routinely hostile, particularly to females, having bitten one and spurned others confounding zookeepers' hopes that he might breed.

Huffington Post

The analysis, by a multi-institutional team including researchers from Cornell, is important since knowing the pathogen's origin will help plant breeders identify local plants with late blight resistance that might be bred into commercial potatoes.

Cornell University

He and his associate John Hayes Hammond led novel game expeditions to Africa with the goal of finding large animals such as Giant Eland, hippopotamus, zebra, and various bird species that might be bred in the United States and become game for future American sportsmen.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that might breed" when you want to cautiously suggest a potential negative outcome or consequence. Be mindful of the tone it conveys, as it implies uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "that might breed" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more direct and precise language to ensure clarity and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that might breed" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun, indicating a potential consequence or outcome. Ludwig's AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that might breed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a potential outcome or consequence, often with a cautionary tone. Ludwig identifies its common usage across various contexts, including news, general knowledge, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the register and choose more direct language in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "that could generate" or "that may cause" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that could generate

Emphasizes the potential for creation or origination.

that may cause

Directly indicates a potential cause-and-effect relationship.

that could lead to

Highlights the possibility of progression towards a specific result.

that might result in

Focuses on the potential outcome or consequence.

that could foster

Suggests the nurturing or encouragement of something.

that may provoke

Highlights the potential to instigate a reaction or response.

that could spur

Indicates the possibility of motivating or stimulating something.

that might ignite

Suggests the potential to start or trigger a process.

that could induce

Emphasizes the possibility of persuading or causing something to happen.

that may cultivate

Focuses on the possibility of developing or growing something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "that might breed" in a sentence?

Use "that might breed" to suggest a potential consequence or outcome. For example, "The new policy has loopholes "that might breed corruption" within the organization."

What are some alternatives to "that might breed"?

Alternatives include "that could generate", "that may cause", or "that could lead to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "that might breed" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to express a possibility or potential consequence, but avoid overuse in formal contexts where more direct language is preferred.

What's the difference between "that might breed" and "that will breed"?

"That might breed" suggests a possibility, while "that will breed" indicates a certainty. The former expresses uncertainty about the outcome, whereas the latter expresses a definite outcome.