copy in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'copy in' is not grammatically correct.
It should be 'copy in to' or 'copy to.' For example, "Please copy this information in to your notebook."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Caribou bought his copy in 2001.

The New Yorker

It is the only copy in the United States and the only copy in private hands.

The New York Times

I have a copy in my house and a copy in my luggage.

The Guardian - Books

Or keep a copy in your suitcase against an emergency.

The New York Times - Travel

'The dish speaks Arabic,' says the ad copy in Arabic.

The Guardian - Business

Jackson Pollock had a copy in his studio.

The Guardian - Books

Mills is even waving a copy in his hands.

The Guardian

The GNM Archive holds a copy in its collections.

The Guardian

I'd love to have a copy in German".

The New York Times - Arts

Another passenger had his copy in full view.

The New York Times

He wrote his own copy in simple, declarative sentences.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When transferring information, clarify the destination. Use "copy into" for physical locations or "copy to" for digital destinations. For example, "copy the file to the server".

Common error

Many use "copy in" without specifying where the content is going. Always add a prepositional phrase to indicate the destination, such as "copy in to the document" or preferably "copy to the document".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "copy in" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of transferring or replicating something. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it's often grammatically incomplete without a specified destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase “copy in” appears frequently across varied sources such as news, scientific articles, and wikis, Ludwig AI indicates that it's often grammatically incomplete. The phrase functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating transfer or replication. To ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, it's best to use alternatives like "copy into" or "copy to". Remember to always specify the destination when using such phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

copy into

Adds the preposition "into" to create a grammatically correct phrase for transferring content.

paste into

Specifies transferring content from a clipboard to a destination, similar to copying.

transfer to

Indicates moving content from one place to another, broadly similar to copying.

duplicate into

Focuses on creating an identical copy within a specified location.

reproduce in

Emphasizes replicating something in a new format or location.

transcribe into

Highlights converting spoken or handwritten content into written form in a target location.

replicate in

Focuses on creating an exact replica, often in a scientific or technical context.

write in

Suggests physically writing information into a space, offering a hands-on alternative.

enter in

Implies manually inputting data or text into a system or document.

import to

Focuses on bringing data or files from one system into another, usually in a digital context.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "copy in"?

The phrase "copy in" is often grammatically incomplete. It is better to use phrases like "copy into" or "copy to" to clearly indicate where the content is being transferred.

What can I say instead of "copy in"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "paste into", "transfer to", or "duplicate into".

Is it correct to say "copy in" without specifying the destination?

No, it's generally considered grammatically incomplete. Always specify the destination using prepositions like "to" or "into", such as "copy the file to this folder".

What's the difference between "copy in" and "copy into"?

"Copy in" by itself is grammatically weak. "Copy into" clearly indicates the destination where the content is being transferred, making it a more complete and correct phrase.