a duplicate of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a duplicate of" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use this phrase to express that something is a copy of, or highly similar to, another item. For example, "I had to complete a duplicate of the form that I filled out months ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BuggyIntDListSolution.java, which is a duplicate of BuggyIntDList.java.java

University of California, Berkeley

Every work is a duplicate of a previous piece.

The Guardian - Opinion

The badge Mr. Seignious was carrying was a duplicate of an authentic police badge.

The New York Times

The one labeled Jonathan Connors was a duplicate of the picture of another victim, Kevin Connors.

The New York Times

Indeed, I'd settle for a duplicate of ThistleDown at Aqueduct right now.

The New Yorker

The picture labeled Thomas H. McGinnis was a duplicate of the picture of Glenn Thompson.

The New York Times

Marion Vuchetich said she understood that a clone "wouldn't be a duplicate of Matthew".

The New York Times - Magazine

Near sunset, Sorochan boated a duplicate of my fish and immediately released it.

The New York Times - Sports

He had been right after all: It was a duplicate of Earth.

The New Yorker

Back came a duplicate of her deposit slip, signed, "Love Bankers Trust Company".

The New Yorker

One way to render a ransomware attack ineffective is by storing a duplicate of your data.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a duplicate of" when you want to clearly indicate that something is an exact copy or very similar to an original. This is particularly useful in technical, legal, or scientific contexts where precision is important.

Common error

While "a duplicate of" is technically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "a copy of" or "the same as" when speaking or writing informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a duplicate of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies is an identical or near-identical copy of something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a duplicate of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is an exact or near-exact copy of something else. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples shows it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While it can sometimes sound formal, it's generally appropriate for diverse writing scenarios. Consider alternatives such as "an exact copy of" for enhanced emphasis or "a copy of" for more general usage. Using it effectively contributes to clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exact copy of

Emphasizes precision in the replication.

a carbon copy of

Highlights identical similarity, suggesting a direct transfer.

a replica of

Implies a reproduction, often on a smaller scale or with some artistic interpretation.

a mirror image of

Suggests a reversed but otherwise identical reflection.

a spitting image of

Used to describe a person who looks very similar to another.

a facsimile of

Implies a close reproduction, often used in formal contexts.

a reproduction of

Focuses on the act of creating a copy.

a counterpart to

Suggests something that serves the same function or occupies the same position in a different context.

a clone of

Implies an exact genetic or functional copy.

an imitation of

Indicates a copy that may not be perfect but attempts to replicate the original.

FAQs

How can I use "a duplicate of" in a sentence?

You can use "a duplicate of" to indicate that something is an exact copy or very similar to something else. For example, "The forged document was "a duplicate of" the original contract."

What are some alternatives to "a duplicate of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an exact copy of", "a carbon copy of", or "a replica of" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "the duplicate of" instead of "a duplicate of"?

While "the duplicate of" can be grammatically correct in specific contexts where you're referring to a specific duplicate that has already been mentioned, "a duplicate of" is generally more common and versatile.

What is the difference between "a duplicate of" and "a copy of"?

While both phrases indicate similarity, ""a duplicate of"" often implies a higher degree of exactness than "a copy of". A copy might have slight variations, whereas a duplicate aims to be identical.