Extinct vs Extant: Similarities, Differences, and Proper Use

Have you ever wondered about the difference between the words “extinct” and “extant”? While they may sound similar, they have vastly different meanings. In this article, we will explore the definitions of these two words and how they are used in today’s language.

It’s important to understand that “extinct” and “extant” are not interchangeable. “Extinct” refers to a species or group of organisms that no longer exists, while “extant” refers to a species or group of organisms that still exists today.

For example, the dinosaurs are extinct, meaning they no longer exist on Earth. On the other hand, sharks are extant, meaning they are still alive and thriving in our oceans today.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the difference between these two words, let’s explore how they are used in various contexts.

Define Extinct

Extinct refers to a species of animal or plant that no longer exists on Earth. This means that the entire species has died out, and there are no living members left. Extinction can occur due to a variety of reasons, including natural disasters, climate change, habitat destruction, hunting, and disease.

When a species becomes extinct, it is gone forever. This means that scientists can no longer study the species, and it can no longer contribute to the ecosystem in which it once lived. Extinction is a natural part of the evolutionary process, but it is also a cause for concern when it occurs at an alarming rate.

Define Extant

Extant refers to a species of animal or plant that still exists on Earth today. This means that there are living members of the species that can be studied and observed. Extant species can be found in a variety of habitats, from the deep sea to the tops of mountains.

Unlike extinct species, extant species can continue to evolve and adapt to their environment. This means that they can contribute to the ecosystem in which they live, and they can also provide valuable insights into the evolutionary process. However, many extant species are currently threatened or endangered due to human activities such as habitat destruction and climate change.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct terminology in writing is essential to convey the intended meaning. The words extinct and extant are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. In this section, we will explore how to use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Extinct” In A Sentence

The word extinct refers to a species that no longer exists. It is used to describe something that has died out completely. Here are some examples of how to use extinct in a sentence:

• The dodo bird is an extinct species.
• The woolly mammoth has been extinct for thousands of years.
• Many scientists believe that the dinosaurs became extinct due to an asteroid impact.

It is important to note that the word extinct is typically used in the past tense, as it refers to something that no longer exists.

How To Use “Extant” In A Sentence

The word extant, on the other hand, refers to something that still exists or is still in use. It is used to describe something that has survived over time. Here are some examples of how to use extant in a sentence:

• There are only a few extant copies of the original manuscript.
• The extant buildings from the Roman era provide valuable insights into their architecture.
• The extant laws from the colonial period still have an impact on modern society.

It is important to note that extant is typically used in the present tense, as it refers to something that still exists.

More Examples Of Extinct & Extant Used In Sentences

In order to fully understand the difference between extinct and extant, it is important to see how these words are used in sentences. Here are some examples of each:

Examples Of Using extinct In A Sentence

• The dodo bird is an example of an extinct species.
• The woolly mammoth has been extinct for thousands of years.
• Many people believe that the dinosaurs became extinct due to a meteor impact.
• The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird in North America, but it is now extinct.
• The Tasmanian tiger, also known as the thylacine, is another example of an extinct species.
• The Great Auk was a flightless bird that was hunted to extinction in the mid-19th century.
• The Pyrenean ibex was declared extinct in 2000, but scientists are working on cloning the species.
• The Irish elk, also known as the giant deer, was a massive species that went extinct around 7,700 years ago.
• The quagga, a subspecies of the zebra, was declared extinct in the late 19th century.
• The Steller’s sea cow was a massive marine mammal that was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.

Examples Of Using extant In A Sentence

• The oldest extant manuscript of Beowulf dates back to the 10th century.
• The extant species of the rhinoceros include the white rhino, black rhino, and Indian rhino.
• The extant works of William Shakespeare include 38 plays and 154 sonnets.
• The extant copies of the Gutenberg Bible are highly prized by collectors.
• The extant buildings of ancient Rome give us a glimpse into the past.
• The extant letters of Vincent van Gogh offer insight into the artist’s life and work.
• The extant manuscripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls have shed light on the development of Judaism and Christianity.
• The extant copies of the Magna Carta are considered some of the most important legal documents in history.
• The extant population of the African elephant is estimated to be around 415,000.
• The extant species of the giant panda are found only in China.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words extinct and extant, there are some common mistakes that people make. These mistakes can lead to confusion and miscommunication, which is why it’s important to understand the correct usage of these words.

Using Extinct And Extant Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make is using the words extinct and extant interchangeably. While these words are related, they have very different meanings.

Extinct refers to something that no longer exists, such as a species of animal or a language. For example, the dodo bird is an extinct species, meaning there are no living members of that species today.

Extant, on the other hand, refers to something that still exists or is still in use. For example, the English language is an extant language, meaning it is still spoken and written today.

Confusing these two words can lead to misunderstandings. For example, if someone says that a particular species is extinct when it is actually extant, it could lead to incorrect assumptions about the state of that species.

Tips For Avoiding Mistakes

To avoid making mistakes when using extinct and extant, it’s important to understand the difference between these two words. Here are some tips to help you avoid common mistakes:

• Always double-check the meaning of the word before using it in your writing or speech.
• Think about the context in which the word is being used. Is it referring to something that no longer exists, or something that still exists?
• If you’re unsure about the meaning of a word, look it up in a dictionary or consult with a language expert.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes when using extinct and extant, and ensure that your communication is clear and accurate.

Context Matters

When discussing the status of a particular species, the choice between using the terms “extinct” or “extant” can depend greatly on the context in which they are used. While both words refer to the current state of a species, they have very different meanings and implications.

Extinct

The term “extinct” is used to describe a species that no longer exists on the planet. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including natural disasters, climate change, hunting, or habitat destruction. When a species is declared extinct, it means that there are no living individuals left and that the species is no longer able to reproduce.

One example of the use of “extinct” in context is when discussing the dodo bird. The dodo bird is an extinct species that was native to the island of Mauritius. It was hunted to extinction by sailors in the 17th century and no longer exists today.

Extant

The term “extant” is used to describe a species that is still alive and thriving. This means that there are living individuals of the species and that it is still able to reproduce. While some extant species may be endangered or threatened, they are still considered to be alive and part of the current ecosystem.

One example of the use of “extant” in context is when discussing the giant panda. The giant panda is an extant species that is native to China. While it is considered to be a vulnerable species, there are still living individuals and conservation efforts are being made to protect and preserve the species.

Contextual Examples

The choice between using “extinct” or “extant” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. For example:

• When discussing a species that is believed to be extinct, but there is a possibility that it may still exist, the term “possibly extinct” may be used instead of “extinct”. This acknowledges the uncertainty of the species’ status.
• When discussing a particular ecosystem, the term “extant species” may be used to refer to the species that are currently present and thriving within that ecosystem.
• When discussing a species that was once extinct, but has been successfully reintroduced into its native habitat, the term “extinct in the wild” may be used to differentiate between the species that exists in captivity and those that have been successfully reintroduced into the wild.

Overall, the choice between using “extinct” or “extant” is dependent on the specific context in which they are used. While both terms refer to the current status of a species, they have very different meanings and implications that should be carefully considered when discussing the state of a particular species.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using extinct and extant are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions that can make things a bit more complicated. Here are a few examples:

1. Fossils

When discussing prehistoric life, the terms extinct and extant can become a bit murky. This is because many species that are considered extinct may still exist in some form as fossils. In these cases, it may be more appropriate to use the term “extinct in the wild” to describe animals that no longer exist in their natural habitats, but whose remains can still be found in the fossil record.

2. Hybrid Species

Another exception to the rules for using extinct and extant involves hybrid species. These are animals that are the result of crossbreeding between two different species. In some cases, hybrid species may be able to reproduce and create a new, distinct species. When discussing these animals, it may be more appropriate to use the term “extinct in the wild” to describe animals that are no longer found in nature, but whose descendants may still exist.

3. Lazarus Taxa

Finally, there are some cases where species that were once thought to be extinct are later rediscovered. These are known as “Lazarus taxa.” In these cases, it may be more appropriate to use the term “extinct” to describe animals that were once believed to be extinct, but have since been rediscovered.

Examples of Lazarus Taxa

Species	Thought to be extinct	Rediscovered
Coelacanth	1938	1938
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect	1920s	2001
Wollemi Pine	1994	1994

It is important to note that the rules for using extinct and extant are not set in stone, and there may be other exceptions that are not covered here. However, by understanding these exceptions, you can use these terms more accurately and effectively in your writing.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of extinct and extant is through practice exercises. Here are some exercises to help you master the use of these words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (extinct or extant) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The dodo bird is __________.
2. There are many __________ species of plants in the rainforest.
3. The woolly mammoth is an __________ species.
4. The Tasmanian tiger is __________.
5. Scientists believe that some species of dinosaurs are __________.

Answer Key:

1. extinct
2. extant
3. extinct
4. extinct
5. extinct

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the words below:

extinct	extant
The extinct species of dinosaurs roamed the earth millions of years ago.	The extant species of elephants are in danger of extinction due to poaching.

Explanation:

The word extinct refers to a species that no longer exists. The word extant refers to a species that still exists.

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of extinct and extant in your writing and communication.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between extinct and extant, it is clear that these terms have distinct meanings and applications in various fields. In biology, extant species refer to those that are still living, while extinct species no longer exist. However, in linguistics and grammar, the terms are used to describe words or phrases that are no longer in use versus those that are still in use.

It is important to understand the differences between these terms to avoid confusion and communicate effectively in different contexts. Whether you are a biologist, linguist, or just a language enthusiast, learning about the nuances of language use can enhance your communication skills and deepen your understanding of the world around you.

Key Takeaways:

• Extant refers to things that are still in existence, while extinct refers to things that are no longer in existence.
• The terms have different meanings in different fields, such as biology and linguistics.
• Understanding the differences between these terms can improve communication and comprehension in various contexts.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, readers can improve their communication skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of language.