a duplicate copy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a duplicate copy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a copy of a document or item that is identical to the original. Example: "Please send me a duplicate copy of the report for my records."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

A duplicate copy of the photographs – comprising 60 quarto volumes – was given by Fayed to the royal archives at Windsor Castle and the National Sound Archive in London.

The Guardian

They've been passed between workmates and friends via word of mouth; lifted wholesale by other acts (as Philips once said, "My jokes are in my head and I have a duplicate copy of my jokes in a lot of British comics' heads, where they are safe"); and circulated via chain emails.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If the data are a duplicate copy, incomplete, inconsistent, noisy, or outliers, then these operators have to clean them up.

Journal of Big Data

Songs purchased from eMusic Mobile are immediately sent to the user's wireless handset, while a duplicate copy is available for download to the user's PC at no additional charge.

TechCrunch

Cullinan accidentally gave Beatty a duplicate copy of the envelope containing Stone's name as Best Actress.

Huffington Post

New genes can be generated from an ancestral gene when a duplicate copy mutates and acquires a new function.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Both mitochondrial genomes contain a duplicated copy of rps3 (rps3-2) in conjunction with a duplication of repeated sequences.

BMC Genomics

The described process is applied to the case when the mutant is replaced with a duplicated copy of a gene that acquired a mutation after the duplication [ 108] had occurred.

BioMed Research International

As a song, movie, novel or poem is searched, the potential connections it radiates seep into society in a much deeper way than the simple publication of a duplicated copy ever could.

The New York Times - Magazine

mojavensis lineages, but a duplicated copy cannot be found in either D. grimshawi or D. mojavensis.

Plosone

In fact, when a double-strand break is induced in subtelomeric regions of S. cerevisiae, that end is often replaced by a duplicated copy of another end (reviewed in [35]).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dealing with important files or documents, always create "a duplicate copy" and store it in a separate location to prevent data loss.

Common error

Avoid using "a duplicate copy" when you only need to refer to a similar but not identical version. Use "a similar version" or "an alternative version" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a duplicate copy" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies something that has been reproduced exactly. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a duplicate copy" is a noun phrase used to describe an identical replica of an original item. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable across various contexts. It is commonly used in science, news and media, and wiki sources, with the primary purpose of ensuring data availability or redundancy. When writing, remember that "a duplicate copy" should refer to an exact reproduction, and consider using alternatives like "an identical copy" or "a replica" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an identical copy

Emphasizes the exact similarity between the original and the copy.

a replica

Implies a close reproduction, often of a smaller or simpler object.

a reproduction

Focuses on the act of recreating something.

a facsimile

Suggests a very precise copy, often used in formal or legal contexts.

a carbon copy

Refers to a copy made using carbon paper, implying a direct and immediate duplication.

a clone

Implies an exact genetic replication, often used in biological contexts.

a counterpart

Suggests a matching item or person in a different location or context.

a parallel version

Highlights the existence of two versions running or existing simultaneously.

a mirror image

Emphasizes a reversed but otherwise identical copy.

a secondary version

Emphasizes that it's another version with the same content.

FAQs

How to use "a duplicate copy" in a sentence?

You can use "a duplicate copy" to refer to an identical version of something, like "I made "a duplicate copy" of the file for backup".

What can I say instead of "a duplicate copy"?

Alternatives include "an identical copy", "a reproduction", or "a replica", depending on the context.

Is it necessary to create "a duplicate copy" of all my files?

While not always necessary, creating "a duplicate copy" of important or irreplaceable files is a good practice for data security and disaster recovery.

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

"A duplicate copy" is an exact replication, while "a backup" may involve compressing or archiving data, and may not always be an exact copy.