What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impregnate
Example
The male bird impregnated the female bird with his sperm. [impregnated: past tense]
Example
The soil was impregnated with nutrients, helping the plants grow. [impregnated: adjective]
inseminate
Example
The veterinarian inseminated the cow with the bull's semen. [inseminated: past tense]
Example
The professor tried to inseminate the students with a love of literature. [inseminate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impregnate is more common than inseminate in everyday language, as it can be used for both natural and artificial fertilization. Inseminate is more commonly used in scientific or medical contexts, where precise terminology is necessary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impregnate and inseminate?
Inseminate is more formal than impregnate, as it is a technical term used in scientific or medical contexts. Impregnate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.