What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
copied
Example
She copied the painting perfectly. [copied: verb]
Example
The essay was copied from an online source. [copied: past participle]
emulate
Example
He tried to emulate his father's success in business. [emulate: verb]
Example
The athlete hopes to emulate the world record holder's performance. [emulate: infinitive]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Copied is more commonly used than emulate in everyday language, especially when referring to making an exact copy of something. However, emulate is more common in academic or professional settings, where it is used to describe the act of learning from or improving upon the work of others.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between copied and emulate?
Emulate is generally considered more formal than copied, as it is often used in academic or professional contexts. However, both words can be used in a variety of formality levels depending on the context.
