What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
immigrated
Example
My grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy in the 1950s. [immigrated: past tense]
Example
She is currently in the process of immigrating to Canada. [immigrating: present participle]
migrate
Example
The birds migrate south for the winter. [migrate: verb]
Example
Many people in search of better job opportunities migrate to big cities. [migrate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Migrate is more commonly used than immigrate in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can refer to both human and animal movement. Immigrate is more specific and less common, as it refers only to the act of moving to a new country.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between immigrated and migrate?
Immigrate is generally considered more formal than migrate, as it is associated with legal and bureaucratic processes. Migrate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
