be fruitful

Meanings

1. 1phraselinking

   To produce good results or many useful things; to be successful and productive.

   Grammar: Used with 'be' as a linking verb; often followed by 'in' to show the area of success.

   Patterns

   • be fruitful in something
   • be fruitful for someone

   The discussions were fruitful and led to a new plan.

   Their partnership has been fruitful for both companies.

   The research was fruitful in finding a new treatment.

2. 2phraselinkingformalreligion

   To have many children or offspring; to reproduce successfully.

   Grammar: Often used in religious or formal contexts, especially the phrase 'be fruitful and multiply'.

   Patterns

   • be fruitful and multiply

   The couple was fruitful and had a large family.

   The animals were fruitful in the new environment.

   In the story, they were told to be fruitful and fill the land.

Common combinations

be fruitful and multiply

The phrase 'be fruitful and multiply' comes from the Bible.

be fruitful in

The meeting was fruitful in generating new ideas.

be fruitful for

This approach has been fruitful for our team.

prove fruitful

The collaboration proved fruitful for everyone involved.

Synonyms and how they differ

be productive

Focuses on producing a lot of work or results; 'be fruitful' often suggests good, valuable outcomes.

be successful

More general; 'be fruitful' often implies useful results, not just achieving a goal.

Opposites

Word family

fruitful adjective

Producing good results; successful.

fruitfully adverb

In a way that produces good results.

fruitfulness noun

The quality of producing good results.

Commonly confused: be fruitful or be fruitless?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be fruitful”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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