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. [immigrated: past tense]
Example
The family had to go through a lot of paperwork and interviews to immigrate to Canada. [immigrate: verb]
move
Example
We're planning to move to a bigger house next month. [move: verb]
Example
The company offered to pay for our moving expenses when we relocated for work. [moving: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Move is more commonly used than immigrate in everyday language since it covers a wider range of contexts. Immigrate is a more specific term that is used in legal, bureaucratic, or international contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between immigrated and move?
Immigrate is a more formal term that is typically used in official documents, news articles, or academic writing. Move is a more versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.