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B2 verb #6 最常用 12分钟阅读

breed

前6

At the A1 level, the word 'breed' is mostly used to talk about animals and their babies. It is a simple way to say that animals have children. For example, 'Cats breed and have kittens.' You might see this word in books about farms or pets. It is important to know that 'breed' is an action that animals do. You don't need to worry about the difficult meanings yet. Just remember that it is about making more animals. If you go to a zoo, you might hear that the lions are breeding, which means they are trying to have lion cubs. It is a natural thing that all living things do to keep their family going. You can think of it as 'making more of the same kind.'

At the A2 level, you can start to use 'breed' to describe how people help animals have babies. This is common when talking about pets like dogs or cats. For example, 'My neighbor breeds golden retrievers.' This means the neighbor carefully chooses which dogs will be the parents so the puppies are healthy and look a certain way. You also learn the past tense of the word, which is 'bred.' So, you can say, 'This dog was bred to be a hunter.' You might also see 'breed' used as a noun, like 'What breed of dog is that?' but as a verb, it is always about the action of producing offspring. It is a useful word for talking about nature, farms, and pets.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 'breed' is not just for animals but can also be used for plants. Scientists and farmers 'breed' new types of corn or flowers to make them stronger or prettier. You also begin to see the word used in a more abstract or metaphorical way. For example, 'Poverty can breed crime.' This means that being very poor can sometimes cause or lead to more crime. In this context, 'breed' means 'to cause' or 'to produce' a situation. It suggests that one thing naturally leads to another. You will encounter this in news articles or school subjects like geography and social studies. It is a more formal way to talk about cause and effect.

At the B2 level, 'breed' is a versatile verb used in both biological and figurative contexts. You are expected to use it to describe the generation of complex social or emotional states. For instance, 'The lack of transparency in the company bred a culture of mistrust.' Here, 'bred' implies that the environment itself was responsible for the negative outcome. You should also be familiar with common idioms like 'familiarity breeds contempt' or 'born and bred.' At this level, you understand the nuance that 'breeding' often implies a slow, cumulative process. You can use it in essays to discuss how certain environments or policies might 'breed' success, innovation, or conflict. You also know the difference between 'breeding' (the act) and 'raising' (the care).

At the C1 level, you use 'breed' with precision to describe systemic and structural developments. You might analyze how specific economic conditions 'breed' radicalization or how certain academic environments 'breed' intellectual curiosity. The word is used to discuss the propagation of ideas, ideologies, and cultural norms. You understand the historical and scientific weight of the term, including its use in genetics and evolutionary biology. You can use it to critique social structures, such as 'The educational system, as it stands, breeds conformity rather than creativity.' You are also comfortable using the word in its passive forms and within complex sentence structures to describe the origins of multifaceted global issues, recognizing the subtle negative or clinical connotations it can carry.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'breed' allows you to use it in highly sophisticated, often provocative ways. You can employ it to discuss the 'breeding' of philosophical movements or the 'breeding' of systemic corruption within international institutions. You might use it in a literary sense to describe how a landscape 'breeds' a certain mood or how a historical era 'bred' a specific type of human experience. You understand the deep etymological roots of the word and can play with its connotations of nourishment and heat (from the original meaning) versus its modern, sometimes colder, biological or social meanings. Your usage is characterized by an awareness of how 'breed' can imply an almost inevitable, organic progression from cause to effect within complex, non-linear systems.

开始练习例句笔记与提示

breed 30秒了解

To produce offspring through reproduction, often used for animals and plants.
The intentional process of mating organisms to develop specific traits or qualities.
To cause a particular feeling, situation, or condition to develop or spread.
Commonly used in idioms like 'familiarity breeds contempt' and 'born and bred'.

The verb breed is a multifaceted term that originates from the biological necessity of life but has expanded into the realms of sociology, psychology, and agriculture. At its most fundamental level, to breed means to produce offspring through sexual reproduction. This is the primary way we describe how animals, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals, ensure the continuation of their species. However, the word carries a more intentional connotation when applied to human intervention. In the context of animal husbandry or botany, to breed involves the deliberate and controlled selection of parents with specific desirable traits to produce offspring that carry those same characteristics. This is why we have different types of dogs, cattle, and even roses; they have been carefully bred for size, temperament, color, or yield.

Biological Context: The natural process where organisms reproduce. For example, many species of birds return to the same cliffs every year to breed and raise their young in safety.
Agricultural Context: The systematic practice of mating animals or plants to improve stock. Farmers might breed sheep specifically for the quality of their wool or their resistance to certain local diseases.

Beyond the physical and biological, breed is frequently used metaphorically to describe the creation or development of abstract conditions, feelings, or situations. In this sense, it means to cause something to happen or to foster an environment where something can grow. If a workplace has poor communication, it might breed resentment among the employees. If a government ignores the needs of its citizens, it might breed revolution. This usage suggests a slow, organic growth where one condition naturally leads to another, often in a negative or compounding way.

Scientists are working to breed new varieties of rice that can survive in saltwater conditions caused by rising sea levels.

The isolation of the pandemic began to breed a sense of deep loneliness among the elderly population.

Metaphorical Context: To generate or produce a specific atmosphere or emotion. Success often breeds confidence, which in turn leads to even greater achievements.

The swampy areas of the valley are known to breed massive swarms of mosquitoes during the humid summer months.

He was born and bred in the heart of London, making him a true city dweller through and through.

Idiomatic Context: The phrase 'born and bred' refers to where someone was born and how they were raised, emphasizing their deep roots in a specific place.

Familiarity breeds contempt, as the saying goes, suggesting that knowing someone too well can lead to a loss of respect.

Using the verb breed correctly requires an understanding of its transitivity and its tense forms. As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object—the thing being produced or the animals being mated. For example, 'The farmer breeds cattle' or 'The situation breeds conflict.' As an intransitive verb, it describes the act of reproduction itself without focusing on the specific offspring: 'Certain fish breed only in freshwater.' The past tense and past participle of 'breed' is 'bred,' which is a common point of confusion for learners who might expect 'breeded.' You must always use 'bred' when referring to the past: 'They bred the dogs for speed' or 'The resentment was bred over many years of neglect.'

Transitive Usage: Subject + Breed + Object. 'The lab technicians breed fruit flies for genetic experiments.' Here, the flies are the direct object of the breeding process.
Intransitive Usage: Subject + Breed. 'Pandas are notoriously difficult to get to breed in captivity.' In this case, the focus is on the act of reproduction itself.

When using 'breed' in a metaphorical sense, it often appears in the present tense to describe a general truth or a recurring pattern. For instance, 'Violence breeds violence' is a common aphorism suggesting that one act of aggression naturally leads to another. In this context, 'breed' functions as a synonym for 'generate,' 'produce,' or 'give rise to.' It is also frequently found in the passive voice, particularly in the phrase 'born and bred.' If you say, 'I was born and bred in Yorkshire,' you are using the past participle to describe your upbringing and heritage. This passive construction emphasizes that your environment and upbringing 'produced' the person you are today.

The stagnant water in the old tires will breed disease-carrying insects if it is not drained immediately.

Success often breeds a dangerous level of complacency in large corporations.

Passive Voice: 'These horses were bred specifically for racing.' The passive voice is used here to focus on the result of the breeding program rather than the person doing the breeding.

The political climate in the country continues to breed division among the populace.

If you breed a lion with a tiger, you get a hybrid known as a liger.

The word breed is a staple in several distinct environments, ranging from the rustic settings of a farm to the high-stakes world of social commentary. If you visit a rural area or watch a documentary about agriculture, you will hear farmers and ranchers discussing their breeding programs. They talk about which bulls to breed with which cows to ensure the best beef or milk production. Similarly, in the world of competitive animal showing—like dog shows or horse racing—the lineage and breeding of an animal are of paramount importance. You will hear commentators discuss how a particular champion was 'bred for speed' or 'bred for endurance,' highlighting the intentionality behind the animal's genetic makeup.

In Science and Nature: Biologists and conservationists use 'breed' when discussing the reproductive habits of wildlife. You might hear about 'breeding seasons' or 'breeding grounds' where animals congregate to mate.
In Social Commentary: Journalists and sociologists use 'breed' to describe how social conditions create certain outcomes. For example, 'The lack of investment in education will only breed more inequality in the future.'

In everyday conversation, you might encounter 'breed' in more idiomatic or metaphorical ways. When someone says, 'He's a rare breed,' they aren't talking about biological reproduction; they are using the word to describe a person with a unique set of qualities or skills that are hard to find. You might also hear it in political debates or opinion pieces where authors argue that certain policies will 'breed' corruption or 'breed' innovation. In these cases, the word is chosen for its evocative power, suggesting that the outcome is not just a result but a living, growing consequence of the policy in question. Finally, the phrase 'born and bred' is a very common way for people to express pride in their hometown or heritage during introductions.

The conservation group is trying to breed the endangered parrots in a controlled environment to boost their numbers.

The current economic instability is starting to breed fear and uncertainty among small business owners.

In Literature: Authors often use 'breed' to describe the atmosphere of a setting. A dark, gothic novel might describe a house that 'breeds shadows and secrets.'

They are a dying breed—artisans who still make everything by hand without the use of modern machinery.

The humid conditions in the greenhouse are perfect to breed exotic tropical ferns.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with the verb breed is related to its irregular past tense form. Many students instinctively apply the regular '-ed' suffix, resulting in the incorrect word 'breeded.' It is crucial to memorize that the past tense and past participle are both 'bred.' For example, 'The dogs were bred for hunting' is correct, while 'The dogs were breeded for hunting' is a common mistake. Another area of confusion is the phonetic similarity between 'breed,' 'bread,' and 'breathe.' While they sound somewhat similar, their meanings and spellings are entirely different. 'Bread' is the food you eat, and 'breathe' is the act of inhaling air. Mixing these up in writing can lead to confusing sentences like 'I need to breathe the dogs' instead of 'I need to breed the dogs.'

Past Tense Error: Incorrect: 'He breeded the horses last year.' Correct: 'He bred the horses last year.' Always use 'bred' for past actions.
Confusion with 'Brood': Learners sometimes confuse 'breed' with 'brood.' While 'breed' is the act of producing offspring, 'brood' as a verb means to think deeply about something unhappy or, for a bird, to sit on eggs to hatch them.

Another mistake involves the misuse of 'breed' when 'raise' or 'grow' would be more appropriate. While 'breed' implies the reproductive process or the generation of a condition, 'raise' is used for the process of caring for children or animals as they grow up. You 'breed' a specific type of dog, but you 'raise' a puppy. Similarly, you 'grow' crops, but you might 'breed' a new variety of wheat. Using 'breed' for the day-to-day care of a child is also incorrect and can sound quite strange or even offensive in English, as it reduces human parenting to animal reproduction. Always use 'raise' or 'bring up' for children.

Mistake: 'The company is trying to breed its employees to be more productive.' (This sounds like biological manipulation.)

Mistake: 'I was breed in a small town.' (Missing the past participle form.)

Correction: 'I was bred in a small town' is grammatically correct, though 'I was raised in a small town' is much more common and natural.

Mistake: 'The cat is breeding her kittens.' (Incorrect use of transitive verb.)

Mistake: 'Don't let the water bread bacteria.' (Spelling error.)

While breed is a powerful and specific word, there are several alternatives that might be more appropriate depending on the context. If you are talking about the biological process in a general sense, 'reproduce' is the most scientific and neutral term. It applies to everything from bacteria to humans without the connotations of 'husbandry' that 'breed' often carries. If you are discussing the creation of a situation or feeling, 'generate' or 'produce' are excellent substitutes. 'Generate' often implies a more mechanical or systemic process, while 'produce' is very broad. For example, 'The new policy will generate interest' vs 'The new policy will breed interest'—the latter sounds more organic and perhaps slightly more negative or intense.

Breed vs. Reproduce: 'Breed' often implies human control or a specific environment, whereas 'reproduce' is the general biological term. Animals reproduce in the wild; humans breed animals for specific traits.
Breed vs. Foster: 'Foster' means to encourage the development of something, usually something positive like a 'culture of innovation.' 'Breed' can be used for both positive and negative outcomes but often leans toward the negative (e.g., breeding resentment).

In the context of raising children or developing qualities in people, 'cultivate' or 'nurture' are much better choices than 'breed.' 'Cultivate' suggests a careful, intentional effort to grow a skill or a trait, such as 'cultivating a taste for classical music.' 'Nurture' emphasizes the care and support given to something as it grows. If you use 'breed' in these contexts, it can sound cold or clinical. However, in the phrase 'born and bred,' the word 'bred' is synonymous with 'raised' or 'brought up,' but it is strictly used in that specific idiomatic expression. You wouldn't say 'I was bred by my parents' in a normal conversation; you would say 'I was raised by my parents.'

The program aims to cultivate leadership skills in young graduates rather than just breeding technical proficiency.

The internet can propagate misinformation at an alarming rate, breeding confusion among the public.

Breed vs. Engender: 'Engender' is a more formal synonym for 'breed' in the metaphorical sense. 'The proposal engendered much debate' is a sophisticated way of saying it 'bred' or 'caused' debate.

The coach worked hard to nurture the talent of his players, hoping to breed a championship-winning team.

Bacteria will multiply rapidly in warm, moist environments if surfaces are not cleaned.

How Formal Is It?

正式

中性

非正式

Child friendly

俚语

趣味小知识

The word 'breed' and 'bread' are not related, even though they sound similar. 'Bread' comes from a word meaning 'morsel' or 'piece'.

发音指南

UK /briːd/

US /brid/

The word is a single syllable, so the stress is on the entire word.

押韵词

bead feed greed need read seed speed weed

常见错误

Pronouncing it like 'bread' (/brɛd/).
Confusing it with 'breathe' (/briːð/).
Failing to make the 'd' at the end voiced.
Shortening the vowel sound to 'i' like in 'bid'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'bree-ud'.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Easy to understand in biological contexts, but metaphorical uses require more thought.

写作 4/5

The irregular past tense 'bred' is a common stumbling block for writers.

口语 3/5

Pronunciation is simple, but choosing the right context (animal vs human) is key.

听力 3/5

Can be confused with 'bread' or 'breathe' in fast speech.

接下来学什么

前置知识

animal baby parent farm cause

接下来学习

reproduce generate offspring genetics lineage

高级

engender propagate husbandry phenotype proliferate

需要掌握的语法

Irregular Past Tense

The verb 'breed' becomes 'bred' in the past tense, not 'breeded'.

Passive Voice with 'Bred'

When the focus is on the offspring, use the passive: 'The puppies were bred for their calm nature.'

Transitive vs. Intransitive

You can 'breed animals' (transitive) or animals can simply 'breed' (intransitive).

Metaphorical Subject-Verb Agreement

Abstract subjects like 'Poverty' or 'Success' take the singular 'breeds'.

Idiomatic Usage

The phrase 'born and bred' always uses the past participle form.

按水平分级的例句

Rabbits breed very quickly.

Les lapins se reproduisent très rapidement.

Present simple for a general fact.

Birds breed in the spring.

Les oiseaux se reproduisent au printemps.

Intransitive use of the verb.

The fish in the pond breed every year.

Les poissons de l'étang se reproduisent chaque année.

Subject-verb agreement (plural fish).

Does your cat breed?

Est-ce que votre chat se reproduit ?

Question form with 'does'.

Many animals breed in the forest.

Beaucoup d'animaux se reproduisent dans la forêt.

Prepositional phrase 'in the forest'.

The farmer wants his cows to breed.

Le fermier veut que ses vaches se reproduisent.

Infinitive 'to breed' after 'want'.

Turtles breed on this beach.

Les tortues se reproduisent sur cette plage.

Present simple for a regular occurrence.

Bees breed in their hives.

Les abeilles se reproduisent dans leurs ruches.

Possessive adjective 'their'.

She breeds dogs for a living.

Elle élève des chiens pour gagner sa vie.

Transitive use with 'dogs' as the object.

He bred horses on his farm last year.

Il a élevé des chevaux dans sa ferme l'année dernière.

Irregular past tense 'bred'.

They want to breed a faster type of dog.

Ils veulent élever un type de chien plus rapide.

Comparative adjective 'faster'.

The zoo is trying to breed pandas.

Le zoo essaie de faire se reproduire des pandas.

Present continuous 'is trying'.

These sheep were bred for their soft wool.

Ces moutons ont été élevés pour leur laine douce.

Passive voice 'were bred'.

He knows how to breed exotic birds.

Il sait comment élever des oiseaux exotiques.

Phrase 'knows how to'.

We don't breed animals here.

Nous n'élevons pas d'animaux ici.

Negative form with 'don't'.

Which animals do they breed on that farm?

Quels animaux élèvent-ils dans cette ferme ?

Wh- question form.

Dirty water can breed dangerous bacteria.

L'eau sale peut engendrer des bactéries dangereuses.

Modal verb 'can' followed by base form.

The poor conditions breed disease.

Les mauvaises conditions engendrent des maladies.

Metaphorical use meaning 'to cause'.

Success can sometimes breed arrogance.

Le succès peut parfois engendrer l'arrogance.

Abstract noun 'arrogance' as object.

They are breeding new varieties of wheat that need less water.

Ils créent de nouvelles variétés de blé qui ont besoin de moins d'eau.

Present continuous for an ongoing project.

The wet weather will breed many mosquitoes.

Le temps humide va engendrer beaucoup de moustiques.

Future tense with 'will'.

He was born and bred in a small village.

Il est né et a grandi dans un petit village.

Idiomatic expression 'born and bred'.

The lack of jobs breeds frustration among young people.

Le manque d'emplois engendre de la frustration chez les jeunes.

Singular subject 'lack' takes 'breeds'.

If you don't clean the cage, it will breed germs.

Si tu ne nettoies pas la cage, elle va engendrer des microbes.

First conditional structure.

Familiarity often breeds contempt in long-term relationships.

La familiarité engendre souvent le mépris dans les relations de longue durée.

Proverbial usage.

The harsh prison environment only bred more violence.

L'environnement carcéral difficile n'a fait qu'engendrer plus de violence.

Past tense 'bred' for historical result.

The company aims to breed a culture of innovation and risk-taking.

L'entreprise vise à cultiver une culture d'innovation et de prise de risque.

Metaphorical use for corporate culture.

Injustice will always breed resistance.

L'injustice engendrera toujours de la résistance.

Future tense expressing a certainty.

The scientist spent years trying to breed a blue rose.

Le scientifique a passé des années à essayer de créer une rose bleue.

Gerund 'trying' after 'spent years'.

These social problems are bred by years of economic neglect.

Ces problèmes sociaux sont engendrés par des années de négligence économique.

Passive voice with agent 'by years of neglect'.

The isolation of the island has bred unique species of plants.

L'isolement de l'île a engendré des espèces de plantes uniques.

Present perfect 'has bred'.

Does competition always breed better results?

La compétition engendre-t-elle toujours de meilleurs résultats ?

Interrogative form with abstract subject.

The systemic inequality in the city breeds a deep sense of resentment.

L'inégalité systémique dans la ville engendre un profond sentiment de ressentiment.

Use of 'systemic' to modify the cause.

His upbringing bred in him a profound respect for the natural world.

Son éducation a fait naître en lui un profond respect pour le monde naturel.

Transitive use with 'in him' as an indirect object.

The political rhetoric of the time was designed to breed fear and division.

La rhétorique politique de l'époque était conçue pour engendrer la peur et la division.

Passive infinitive 'to be designed to breed'.

The internet can be a breeding ground for radical ideologies.

Internet peut être un terrain fertile pour les idéologies radicales.

Use of the related noun phrase 'breeding ground'.

Success breeds success, as the saying goes, creating a virtuous cycle.

Le succès appelle le succès, comme le dit le proverbe, créant un cercle vertueux.

Repetition for rhetorical effect.

The lack of regulation bred an environment where corruption could flourish.

Le manque de réglementation a engendré un environnement où la corruption pouvait prospérer.

Past tense 'bred' followed by a relative clause.

They are a rare breed of explorers who still seek the unknown.

Ils sont une race rare d'explorateurs qui cherchent encore l'inconnu.

Noun use 'rare breed' referring to people.

The silence in the room seemed to breed a growing tension.

Le silence dans la pièce semblait engendrer une tension croissante.

Infinitive 'to breed' after 'seemed'.

The philosopher argued that modern technology breeds a new kind of alienation.

Le philosophe a soutenu que la technologie moderne engendre un nouveau type d'aliénation.

Reporting verb 'argued' followed by a 'that' clause.

Such conditions breed the very discontent they are intended to suppress.

De telles conditions engendrent le mécontentement même qu'elles sont censées supprimer.

Use of 'the very' for emphasis.

The intricate web of lies bred a catastrophe of epic proportions.

Le tissu complexe de mensonges a engendré une catastrophe de proportions épiques.

Metaphorical 'web of lies' as the subject.

The university was a place that bred intellectual giants and revolutionary thinkers.

L'université était un lieu qui a formé des géants intellectuels et des penseurs révolutionnaires.

Relative clause 'that bred...'.

The stagnant economy has bred a generation of disillusioned youth.

L'économie stagnante a engendré une génération de jeunes désillusionnés.

Present perfect 'has bred' to show current state.

The sheer complexity of the tax code breeds confusion and non-compliance.

La complexité même du code des impôts engendre la confusion et le non-respect.

Abstract subject 'complexity' with singular verb.

His experiences in the war bred a cynicism that never left him.

Ses expériences pendant la guerre ont engendré un cynisme qui ne l'a jamais quitté.

Transitive use with abstract noun 'cynicism'.

The artistic movement was bred in the cafes of 1920s Paris.

Le mouvement artistique est né dans les cafés du Paris des années 1920.

Passive voice 'was bred' to describe origins.

近义词

reproduce propagate generate foster spawn multiply

反义词

extinguish suppress stifle

常见搭配

breed contempt

breed resentment

breed success

breed in captivity

breed like rabbits

breed disease

breed conflict

breed cattle

breed suspicion

breed new varieties

常用短语

born and bred

a dying breed

a rare breed

breeding ground

pure-bred

cross-breed

inter-breed

breed out

selectively breed

in-breed

容易混淆的词

breed vs bread

A food item. Sounds similar but spelled differently.

breed vs breathe

The act of taking air into the lungs. Ends with a 'th' sound, not a 'd'.

breed vs brood

To think deeply about something unhappy, or a group of young birds.

习语与表达

"familiarity breeds contempt"

The more you know someone or something, the more likely you are to find faults and stop respecting them.

They were best friends, but after living together for a year, familiarity bred contempt.

proverbial

"success breeds success"

When you are successful, it gives you the confidence and resources to become even more successful.

The team's first win gave them the momentum they needed; success breeds success.

motivational

"money breeds money"

People who already have a lot of money find it easier to make even more money through investments.

It's much easier to start a business when you're wealthy; money breeds money.

economic

"violence breeds violence"

One act of violence often leads to another act of violence in response, creating a cycle.

The government's harsh response only made the protesters more angry; violence breeds violence.

social/political

"fear breeds hate"

When people are afraid of something they don't understand, it often turns into hatred.

The propaganda was designed to make people afraid, because fear breeds hate.

psychological

"like breeds like"

Offspring will likely have the same qualities as their parents; similar things produce similar results.

He is just as stubborn as his father; I guess like breeds like.

informal

"poverty breeds crime"

The idea that poor economic conditions naturally lead to an increase in criminal activity.

Sociologists argue that we must fix the economy because poverty breeds crime.

sociological

"ignorance breeds prejudice"

Not knowing about other cultures or people often leads to unfair judgments and bias.

Education is the only way to stop racism, as ignorance breeds prejudice.

educational

"silence breeds suspicion"

When people don't communicate or share information, others will start to think they are hiding something.

The manager's refusal to talk about the layoffs only bred suspicion among the staff.

professional

"confidence breeds competence"

When you believe in yourself, you are more likely to perform well and become skilled.

The coach focused on building the players' self-esteem, knowing that confidence breeds competence.

motivational

容易混淆

breed vs raise

Both involve helping something grow.

You 'breed' to create the life; you 'raise' to care for it as it grows. 'Raise' is for children; 'breed' is for animals.

They breed cattle and then raise the calves until they are grown.

breed vs grow

Both describe an increase in size or number.

'Grow' is for plants or general size; 'breed' is for the reproductive act or causing a situation.

I grow tomatoes, but I don't breed new types of them.

breed vs reproduce

They are synonyms in a biological sense.

'Reproduce' is the scientific term; 'breed' often implies human intervention or a specific environment.

The bacteria reproduce every twenty minutes.

breed vs generate

Both mean to cause something to exist.

'Generate' is more clinical or mechanical; 'breed' sounds more organic or environmental.

The engine generates power, but the environment breeds success.

breed vs foster

Both mean to encourage growth.

'Foster' is almost always positive; 'breed' is often used for negative or neutral outcomes.

We want to foster a sense of community, not breed competition.

句型

[Animal] breed in [Season/Place].

Birds breed in the spring.

[Person] breeds [Animals].

He breeds horses on his farm.

[Condition] breeds [Outcome].

The heat breeds bacteria.

[Abstract Concept] breeds [Abstract Concept].

Familiarity breeds contempt.

To be born and bred in [Place].

She was born and bred in London.

[System] is a breeding ground for [Issue].

The system is a breeding ground for corruption.

The [Noun] bred a [Noun] of [Noun].

The crisis bred a generation of skeptics.

Bred by [Condition], [Subject] [Verb].

Bred by neglect, the resentment grew daily.

词族

名词

动词

形容词

如何使用

frequency

Common in both specialized (farming/science) and general (idiomatic/metaphorical) English.

常见错误

Using 'breeded' as the past tense. → Using 'bred' as the past tense.
Breed is an irregular verb. The correct forms are breed (present), bred (past), and bred (past participle).
Saying 'The woman is breeding her baby.' → Saying 'The woman is raising her baby.'
Breed is for animals or the act of reproduction. For caring for a child, use 'raise' or 'bring up'.
Confusing 'breed' with 'breathe'. → Using 'breed' for reproduction and 'breathe' for air.
They sound different and have completely different meanings. 'Breed' ends in a 'd' sound; 'breathe' ends in a 'th' sound.
Using 'breed' for plants in a non-scientific way. → Using 'grow' or 'plant' for general gardening.
You 'grow' flowers in your garden. You only 'breed' them if you are trying to create a new variety through cross-pollination.
Spelling the past tense as 'bread'. → Spelling the past tense as 'bred'.
'Bread' is the food you eat. 'Bred' is the past tense of breed. They are homophones but not interchangeable.

小贴士

Watch the Tense

Always remember that 'bred' is the past tense. It's one of those irregular verbs that can trip you up if you're not careful. Practice saying 'Today they breed, yesterday they bred.'

Noun vs. Verb

Don't confuse the noun 'breed' (a category) with the verb 'breed' (the action). 'What breed is that dog?' vs. 'They breed dogs.'

Metaphorical Power

Use 'breed' in your writing to create a strong sense of cause and effect. It sounds more evocative than simply saying 'causes' or 'leads to'.

Human Sensitivity

Avoid using 'breed' when talking about people having children unless you want to sound very clinical or slightly insulting. Stick to 'starting a family'.

Bread vs. Bred

Remember: You eat 'bread' (with an 'a'), but you were 'bred' (no 'a') in a certain town. A simple way to remember is that 'bread' is for 'eating'.

Born and Bred

This is a great phrase to use in introductions. It sounds very natural and native-like. 'I was born and bred in New York!'

Environment Matters

When using 'breed' metaphorically, always focus on the environment. The environment is what 'breeds' the result. 'The swamp breeds mosquitoes.'

Selective Breeding

In biology, use 'selective breeding' to describe human-led evolution. It's a key term in genetics and history.

The Long 'E'

Make sure the 'ee' sound is long and clear. If it's too short, it might sound like 'brid', which isn't a word.

Avoid Overuse

While 'breed' is a great word, don't use it for every cause-and-effect situation. Mix it up with 'generate', 'produce', and 'engender'.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of 'B' for 'Babies' and 'REED' as the grass where animals might hide to have them. B + REED = BREED.

视觉联想

Imagine a farmer carefully choosing two prize-winning sheep to mate. This is the 'breed' action.

Word Web

Animals Reproduction Farming Genetics Cause Result Environment Traits

挑战

Try to use 'breed' in three different ways today: once for an animal, once for a plant, and once for a feeling.

词源

Derived from the Old English word 'brēdan', which meant to nourish, cherish, or keep warm. It is related to the word 'brood', referring to a group of young birds.

原始含义： The original sense was about keeping young animals warm and nourishing them so they would grow.

Germanic (West Germanic branch).

文化背景

Be careful when using 'breed' to describe humans. Unless you are using the idiom 'born and bred', it can sound like you are treating people like animals.

The phrase 'born and bred' is a very common and proud way to identify with one's hometown.

The proverb 'Familiarity breeds contempt' is attributed to various historical figures including Aesop. The concept of 'The New Breed' is often used in movies and books to describe a new generation of heroes or villains. Scientific discussions about 'selective breeding' often reference Charles Darwin and his work on evolution.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Farming and Agriculture

breed livestock
breeding stock
selective breeding
breed for quality

Biology and Nature

breeding season
breeding pair
breed in the wild
natural breeding

Social and Political Analysis

breed discontent
breed revolution
breed inequality
breed radicalization

Personal Upbringing

born and bred
well-bred
bred to be
bred into someone

Business and Culture

breed success
breed innovation
breed a culture
breed excellence

对话开场白

"What breed of dog would you most like to have as a pet?"

"Do you think that competition in schools breeds better students?"

"Where were you born and bred, and what do you like about that place?"

"In your opinion, does social media breed more connection or more isolation?"

"Have you ever seen a breeding program at a zoo or a farm?"

日记主题

Describe a quality you have that you think was 'bred' into you by your family or environment.

Discuss the saying 'familiarity breeds contempt.' Have you ever experienced this in your own life?

Write about a situation where a lack of communication bred a significant misunderstanding.

If you could breed a new type of plant or animal, what would it be and why?

Analyze how a specific environment (like a school or workplace) can breed either success or failure.

常见问题

10 个问题

Generally, no. Using 'breed' for humans sounds like you are talking about them as if they were animals. The only common exception is the idiom 'born and bred,' which is perfectly fine. Otherwise, use 'have children' or 'raise children.'

The past tense is 'bred.' For example, 'They bred the horses last summer.' Do not use 'breeded,' as it is incorrect.

It is both! As a noun, it means a specific type of animal (e.g., 'a breed of dog'). As a verb, it means the act of producing offspring or causing a situation.

It means that when you know someone very well, you might start to lose respect for them or find them annoying because you see all their flaws.

Yes, in a scientific sense, plants breed when they are cross-pollinated to create new varieties. Farmers and scientists 'breed' plants for better harvests.

Literally, it's a place where animals go to mate. Metaphorically, it's any place or situation that makes it easy for something (usually something bad) to grow or spread.

No. They sound the same (homophones), but 'bread' is food and 'bred' is the past tense of the verb 'breed'.

You use it to show how one condition leads to another. For example, 'The lack of sunlight breeds sadness' or 'Innovation breeds growth.'

It means you were both born in a place and grew up there. It shows you have a deep connection to that location.

Not always, but it often is. People frequently talk about breeding 'resentment,' 'contempt,' or 'conflict.' However, you can also breed 'success' or 'innovation.'