A method to form a strain-inducing semiconductor region is described. In one embodiment, formation of a strain-inducing semiconductor region laterally adjacent to a crystalline substrate results in a uniaxial strain imparted to the crystalline substrate, providing a strained crystalline substrate. In another embodiment, a semiconductor region with a crystalline lattice of one or more species of charge-neutral lattice-forming atoms imparts a strain to a crystalline substrate, wherein the lattice constant of the semiconductor region is different from that of the crystalline substrate, and wherein all species of charge-neutral lattice-forming atoms of the semiconductor region are contained in the crystalline substrate.