do not imitate

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "do not imitate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as an imperative sentence to tell someone not to imitate a certain behavior (e.g. "Do not imitate the behavior you saw on television").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is widely agreed that human cultural transmission often involves imitation, but there is also evidence that we do not imitate every behavior we see.

SEP

You can borrow, you can take, you can even steal, but you do not imitate".

The New York Times - Arts

The same seasonings in jerk resurface in other dishes, recalibrated so they echo but do not imitate one another.

The New York Times - Food

Although some of Europe's economies may be in need of a boost, let us hope that, in the light of recent events in France, they do not imitate art.

The Economist

That sense that Mr. Yorn ate everything on his plate when growing up in the 1980's illuminated his talent for writing songs that do not imitate but rearrange his influences.

The New York Times - Arts

Anthropologists have hypothesized that people do not imitate behaviors from random people; rather, transmission of some cultural traits (e.g., healing skills) follows biases designed to extract reproductive benefit from the flow of socially transmitted information.

Evolution and Human Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

If you don't imitate Teddy Roosevelt, you will become Herbert Hoover".

The New Yorker

To their credit, Mr. Davis and Ms. Chalfant don't imitate their predecessors.

The New York Times

To which Ross allegedly said, "Well, don't imitate it around the office.

The New Yorker

They don't imitate blindly: they see our faults and learn from our mistakes.

The Guardian - Books

But the essay raises questions about the 20percentt of children who don't imitate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "do not imitate" to strongly discourage replication and encourage originality. For instance, "Do not imitate prevailing marketing trends blindly; instead, innovate based on customer insights."

Common error

Don't confuse imitation with learning or being inspired. "Do not imitate" is a caution against mere replication, not against gaining knowledge from others. Inspiration should lead to transformation, not duplication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not imitate" primarily functions as an imperative, issuing a command or strong suggestion to avoid copying or mimicking something or someone. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in offering this directive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

26%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not imitate" serves as a directive against copying, encouraging originality across various domains. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its application can range from casual advice to formal warnings. Remember, while learning from others is valuable, strive for originality and avoid direct replication. As Ludwig's examples show, the phrase appears frequently in news, wiki and scientific contexts, emphasizing the importance of avoiding imitation in creative, academic, and personal endeavors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid copying

Focuses on preventing direct replication rather than broader imitation.

don't emulate

Suggests not trying to equal or surpass someone else through imitation.

refrain from mimicking

Emphasizes abstaining from closely copying someone's actions or style.

eschew imitation

A more formal way of saying to avoid imitation.

resist copying

Emphasizes actively preventing oneself from copying.

don't replicate

Highlights the importance of not creating an exact copy.

don't parrot

Suggests not repeating someone else's words or actions mindlessly.

be original

Shifts the focus to creating something new instead of copying existing work.

be yourself

Focuses on authenticity and individuality instead of copying.

develop your own style

Suggests cultivating a unique approach rather than imitating others.

FAQs

How can I use "do not imitate" in a sentence?

Use "do not imitate" as a directive to avoid copying behaviors, styles, or methods directly. For example, "Do not imitate the negative attitudes you observe in others."

What can I say instead of "do not imitate"?

You can use alternatives like "avoid copying", "refrain from mimicking", or "be original" depending on the specific context.

Is it wrong to imitate someone?

Whether it's wrong depends on the context. In creative endeavors, direct imitation can stifle originality and lead to accusations of plagiarism. Learning from others is valuable, but transforming that knowledge into something new is essential.

What's the difference between "do not imitate" and "be original"?

"Do not imitate" is a directive to avoid copying. "Be original", on the other hand, is a broader encouragement to create something new and unique.