What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
copied
Example
I copied the text from the website and pasted it into my report. [copied: verb]
Example
The painting was so popular that many artists copied it. [copied: past tense]
Example
The file was copied from the external hard drive to the computer. [copied: past participle]
duplicate
Example
Can you make a duplicate of this key for me? [duplicate: noun]
Example
I need to duplicate this file so I can have a backup copy. [duplicate: verb]
Example
The company made a duplicate of the important documents in case of loss or damage. [duplicate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Copied is more commonly used than duplicate in everyday language. Copied is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while duplicate is less common and refers to a specific type of replication.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between copied and duplicate?
Both copied and duplicate are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
