a copy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a copy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to an item that is an exact replica of another item. For example, "I emailed you a copy of the report earlier today."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our experience teaching as part time lecturers in some of the private university colleges shows that in many of these institutions, degree programmes and courses offered are just a copy and paste of those offered at the University of Dar es Salaam; what they change are the course codes only.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

2. Doing a copy and paste of information when reaching out to influencers, NOT personalizing the correspondence, and even leaving in details (such as names) from influencers they have previously contacted.

Huffington Post

At the same time, though – and especially when it comes to the pre-web contents of early internet technologies such as Usenet or Bulletin Board Systems – all that remains of many seminal exchanges or ideas is often the copy-paste of a copy-paste of a copy-paste.

BBC

In a letter signed by Speaker John Boehner and six other House leaders, Republicans didn't even bother to assemble their own package of spending cuts and revenue increases; they did a simple copy and paste of a few proposals made extemporaneously at a hearing last year by Erskine Bowles, the Democratic co-chairman of a deficit reduction committee.

The New York Times

Mobile link sharing is a clumsy rigmarole of app switching and copy & pasting.

TechCrunch

It is an exaggeration to suggest that the designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez had done a copy-and-paste of fashion from the French house.

The New York Times

Ninety per cent of these amendments are a copy-and-paste of the committee report with cosmetic changes.

EU Parlament

In the absence of an original model the mediocre elites believe that a mere copy paste of the policies, institutional framework and legislation of better off nations will be sufficient condition for finally taking off towards prosperity.

Huffington Post

It's not like a copy-and-paste sort of thing.

The New York Times

"There is likely a copy-and-paste component of this going on," he said.

The New York Times

"Gone are the days when your LinkedIn profile was just a copy-and-paste version of your resume," Liam explains.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what the "copy" is a duplicate of, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands the reason for needing "a copy". Clearly state why the copy is necessary or what action should be taken with it. For instance, instead of just saying "Here's a copy", say "Here's a copy for your records".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a copy" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to a duplicate or reproduction of something. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a copy" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood noun phrase used to refer to a duplicate or reproduction of something. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the lack of exact examples in the provided data makes it difficult to fully assess its common usage contexts. Related phrases include "an imitation", "a duplicate", and "a replica", each with slightly different connotations. When using "a copy", it's beneficial to specify the type of copy and its purpose to ensure clarity. Based on this analysis, while "a copy" is a simple and functional phrase, clear communication requires considering the context in which it is used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a duplicate

Emphasizes the creation of an exact replica, identical in form and function.

a reproduction

Highlights the process of recreating something, whether physical or abstract.

a replica

Refers to a reproduction or close imitation, often of a historical or artistic object.

a facsimile

Implies an exact copy, often used in the context of documents or printed materials.

an imitation

Focuses on the act of replicating something, often implying a lack of originality or authenticity.

a clone

Suggests an identical genetic replica or a very similar imitation.

a carbon copy

An outdated but still understood phrase referring to a copy made with carbon paper.

a transcript

Specifically refers to a written or printed version of spoken material.

a counterpart

Implies a corresponding or equivalent item, often in a different system or context.

a version

Indicates a specific form or variant of something, possibly with modifications.

FAQs

How can I use "a copy" in a sentence?

You can use "a copy" to refer to a duplicate of something. For example, "I need "a copy" of your driver's license" or "Please provide "a copy" of the report".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a copy"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a duplicate", "a reproduction", or "an imitation".

Is it redundant to say "a copy of a copy"?

While technically correct, saying "a copy of a copy" can sound awkward. Consider rephrasing to something like "a second-generation copy" or "a duplicate of the original's duplicate" for better clarity.

What's the difference between "a copy" and "the copy"?

"A copy" refers to one of possibly many duplicates, while "the copy" typically refers to a specific duplicate that has already been mentioned or is otherwise understood in context. Example: "I made "a copy" for you and gave you the original. Where is "the copy" now?"