copies him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "copies him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone imitating or replicating another person's actions, behavior, or style. Example: "The young artist copies him in his painting style, trying to capture the same essence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

India's skipper takes a single by playing inside-out through midwicket and Raina copies him by dropping it to the same position which gives Dhoni one more ball.

The Guardian - Sport

If you're the kind of reader who finds sentence fragments irritating, then they are just as irritating when Roth does it as when your most pretentious student copies him.

The Guardian - Books

Respect and admire L. Get angry that Near copies him to such a large extent.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Others, in turn, copied him.

The New Yorker

"I copied him.

The Guardian - Books

Everybody copied him.

The Guardian - Sport

(Other writers copied him)..

The Guardian

Cameron should copy him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Barak has copied him in Israel.

The Economist

Now Tories and Lib Dems were scrambling to copy him.

The Economist

Gerhard Schröder, now Chancellor Schröder, has copied him in Germany.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "copies him", ensure the context makes it clear what aspect of the person is being imitated (e.g., style, behavior, actions).

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "he is copied by him", which is grammatically awkward and less direct than the active voice "copies him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "copies him" functions as a verb phrase where "copies" is the verb (3rd person singular present) and "him" is the object pronoun. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and used to indicate that someone is imitating or replicating another person.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Wiki

33.33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "copies him" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe the act of imitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deemed correct for use in written English. While not extremely common, with only a few examples found, its usage spans across various contexts, mainly in News & Media. When using "copies him", be mindful of the context to ensure clarity regarding what specific aspect is being imitated. Alternatives such as "imitates him" or "follows his example" can provide a more nuanced depiction of the imitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imitates him

Replaces "copies" with a more formal synonym, "imitates".

mimics him

Suggests a closer, often playful, imitation.

emulates him

Implies admiration and an attempt to equal or surpass the original.

follows his example

Focuses on imitating a specific action or behavior.

mirrors his actions

Emphasizes a direct and precise replication of behavior.

replicates his style

Highlights the imitation of a particular style or manner.

takes after him

Suggests inheriting or adopting qualities or behaviors.

does the same as him

A more informal and direct way of saying someone is copying.

patterns himself after him

Suggests consciously using someone as a model.

adopts his methods

Refers specifically to copying someone's techniques or procedures.

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "copies him"?

A more formal alternative to "copies him" is "imitates him", which suggests a deliberate act of replication.

How can I specify what aspect someone "copies"?

To specify, use phrases like "copies his style", "copies his mannerisms", or "follows his example", making the imitation more precise.

Is it always negative to say someone "copies him"?

Not necessarily. While "copies him" can imply a lack of originality, it can also suggest admiration or learning, depending on the context. "Emulates him" suggests a positive intent.

What's the difference between "copies him" and "mimics him"?

"Copies him" is a general term for imitation. "Mimics him" often implies a closer, sometimes exaggerated, imitation, possibly for comedic effect.