duplicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duplicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to making an exact copy of something or when indicating that something is repeated. Example: "Please create a duplicate of this document for our records."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: Exceptions to the marker rule occur when moderators remove duplicate posts, spam, or sometimes, when a comment or post is removed, it has been necessary to delete subsequent messages which refer to explicitly or quote from the original (removed) comment, in order to preserve some notion of conversational thread.

The Guardian

Thousands of cyberplazas appeared, attempting to duplicate the malls' success across America.

The Economist

They decided they could no longer afford to duplicate all the intricate layers of local democracy and administration, and have tried to consolidate either with other cities or with the county itself.Then, last year, came discoveries of corruption.

The Economist

Nor is the idea of yet another legislative body, a "Senate" to represent national parliaments, the right answer, for it would largely duplicate the national representation of governments through the Council of Ministers.

The Economist

And the compliance costs of duplicate accounting, the bulk of which investors ultimately bear, will disappear.Related items Insurance: Black box bluesJul 24th 2008 Paradise lostMay 15th 2008 International accounting: Speaking in tonguesMay 17th 2007Accountants point to other benefits.

The Economist

Alcatel and Lucent, he notes, are underperforming firms with cumbersome product portfolios that overlap in many areas but they cannot kill off duplicate products, since their existing customers expect them to be supported for years to come.

The Economist

PCR employs an enzyme called DNA-polymerase to duplicate DNA molecules in a similar fashion to the way they multiply naturally (by stringing together sequences of the chemical bases of which DNA is composed, using the existing DNA as a reference).

The Economist

It offered a number of other media outlets, including CNN and NBC, two TV broadcasters, the chance to duplicate the drive.With most electric vehicles typically delivering less than 100 miles per charge and taking the better part of a day to recharge, driving from DC to Boston would normally be a days-long chore.

The Economist

But because the owner knows it, the ZKP provides full assurance to the rest of the currency ecosystem of that ownership as all other parties can duplicate the ZKP without knowledge of that secret number.

The Economist

Every year we submit a bill to try and get rid of duplicate boards, boards we no longer think we need.

The Economist

Many of these non-profits duplicate each other, under-perform and miss out on economies of scale because they are too small.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, use "duplicate" to denote an exact copy, differentiating it from broader terms like "copy" or "reproduce".

Common error

While "duplicate" is precise, overuse can make writing repetitive. Consider synonyms like "replicate" or "copy" to add variety to your expression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "duplicate" varies; it can function as a verb, meaning to create a copy; a noun, referring to the copy itself; or an adjective, describing something that is a copy. As Ludwig AI highlights, it correctly fits into diverse sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "duplicate" is a versatile term functioning as a verb, noun, or adjective, primarily used to denote the act or state of creating or being an exact copy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied sentence structures. Its frequency is very common, especially in news and media. While semantically precise, it's wise to diversify word choice with synonyms like "replicate" or "copy" to enhance writing style. As a wrap-up, "duplicate" maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for a wide array of communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reproduce

Focuses on creating a copy or representation, emphasizing the act of replication.

replicate

Implies creating an exact copy, often in scientific or technical contexts.

copy

A general term for creating a likeness or version of something.

clone

Refers to creating an identical copy, often used in biological or technological contexts.

imitate

Focuses on following a model or example, often implying a less exact copy.

mirror

Suggests reflecting or closely resembling something, often in appearance or behavior.

match

Emphasizes similarity or correspondence, but not necessarily an exact copy.

simulate

Focuses on creating a model or representation that behaves like the original.

counterfeit

Implies making a fraudulent copy, often with the intent to deceive.

forge

Similar to counterfeit, suggesting the creation of a fake or imitation.

FAQs

How is "duplicate" used in a sentence?

The word "duplicate" can be used as a verb, noun, or adjective. For instance, "They decided they could no longer afford to duplicate all the intricate layers of local democracy" (verb), "This is a duplicate, but a very good replica" (noun), or "This is a duplicate entry" (adjective).

What words can I use instead of "duplicate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "reproduce", "replicate", or "copy".

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

"Duplicate" often implies an exact replica, while "copy" can refer to a less precise or altered version. For instance, a "duplicate" document should be identical, whereas a "copy" might have variations or annotations.

Is it better to say "duplicate" or "replicate"?

Both "duplicate" and "replicate" can mean to make an exact copy, but "replicate" is often used in more technical or scientific contexts, such as in experimental procedures or data analysis.