to engender

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to engender" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of causing or bringing about a particular situation, feeling, or condition. Example: "The new policy is expected to engender a sense of community among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Imposed treatments tend to engender resistance and resentment.

The New York Times

Managers didn't seem to engender the same inspiration.

The Guardian - Sport

Are there any words less likely to engender trust?

The Guardian - Travel

Were they trying to engender some specific policy change?

The New Yorker

At creation he emerged to engender himself and the gods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But is trade alone enough to engender learning?

The New Yorker

Even the word "refugee" tends to engender fatigue.

The Guardian

The extra spending that it hopes to engender will then be spread over three years.

The Economist

There's also a reasonable spread of game modes to engender variety.

The Guardian - Tech

He espouses the same kind of values that parents want to engender in their children".

The New York Times

"The goal is to engender hope but not promise what you can't deliver.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to engender" when you want to convey the idea of something being brought into existence or a feeling being created. It's particularly effective when describing a process or system designed to produce a specific outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "to engender" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "to create" or "to cause" might be more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to engender" functions as an infinitive verb indicating purpose or intent. It connects an action with its intended outcome, expressing the goal of causing something to exist or occur. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science & Research

5%

Opinion

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to engender" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the act of causing something to come into existence. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in formal writing. While alternatives like "to generate" or "to give rise to" exist, "to engender" carries a nuanced meaning of bringing about a specific result or feeling. Be mindful of its register, as it might sound overly formal in casual settings. Overall, it's a valuable phrase to have in your writing toolkit, especially when precision and formality are desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to generate

Highlights the production or creation of something, often energy or data.

to give rise to

Emphasizes the creation or initiation of something, often a feeling or situation.

to produce

Focuses on yielding or manufacturing a result or outcome.

to bring about

Suggests a more direct and intentional causation of an event or result.

to spark

Implies a sudden or energetic beginning, often used for ideas or emotions.

to cultivate

Suggests careful and deliberate development over time.

to foster

Focuses on nurturing and promoting growth or development.

to set off

Emphasizes triggering a chain of events or a reaction.

to instigate

Indicates initiating an action or event, sometimes with a negative connotation.

to precipitate

Implies causing something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "to engender" in a sentence?

You can use "to engender" to describe the act of causing or bringing about a particular feeling, situation, or condition. For example, "The new policy is expected to engender a sense of community among the employees."

What are some alternatives to "to engender"?

You can use alternatives like "to give rise to", "to bring about", or "to generate" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "to engender" or "to create"?

The choice between "to engender" and "to create" depends on the nuance you want to convey. "To engender" often implies a more gradual or indirect process of bringing something into existence, while "to create" is a more direct action.

What is the difference between "to engender" and "to provoke"?

"To engender" means to cause or give rise to a feeling or situation. "To provoke", on the other hand, means to deliberately make someone annoyed or angry. While both words involve causing something, "to provoke" implies a more intentional and potentially negative action.