What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incubate
Example
The hen incubated her eggs for three weeks before they hatched. [incubated: past tense]
Example
We need to incubate this new business idea and see if it has potential. [incubate: verb]
Example
The scientists incubated the bacteria in a petri dish to study their growth. [incubated: past participle]
cultivate
Example
The farmer cultivated his land and grew a variety of crops. [cultivated: past tense]
Example
She has been cultivating her painting skills for years and is now quite talented. [cultivating: present participle]
Example
He has been working hard to cultivate a network of professional contacts in his industry. [cultivate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cultivate is more commonly used than incubate in everyday language. Cultivate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incubate is less common and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between incubate and cultivate?
Both incubate and cultivate can be used in formal or informal contexts, but incubate may have a more technical or clinical connotation, making it more appropriate for formal or scientific writing.
