"feed on" vs "feed in"

Question

"feed on" vs "feed in"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Feed on' is used to describe an animal or organism consuming food, while 'feed in' is used to describe inserting something into a machine or system.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

Use 'feed on' when talking about animals or organisms consuming food. It implies the act of eating or consuming nutrients.

Examples:

Sharks feed on fish and other marine animals.
Vultures feed on carrion.
Mosquitoes feed on blood.
Cows feed on grass in the pasture.
Bears feed on berries and fish in the wild.

Alternatives:

consume
eat
nourish themselves with
subsist on

Use 'feed in' when talking about inserting something into a machine or system. It implies the action of inputting or supplying something.

Examples:

You need to feed in the paper properly for the printer to work.
The machine requires you to feed in the raw materials from the top.
Make sure to feed in the correct data into the system.
The scanner allows you to feed in multiple documents at once.
The conveyor belt is used to feed in the products for packaging.

Alternatives:

input
insert
supply
load into

Answer 1

feed on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe animals or organisms consuming food.

Answer 2

feed in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe inserting something into a machine or system.

"feed on" vs "feed in"

feed on

feed in

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