emit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "emit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to send out or produce something, such as a smell, sound, or light. Example: The factory emitted a thick, black smoke into the air.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ordinary light bulbs would be replaced with improved versions of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit bright white light.At General Electric, researchers are trying to improve the structure of phosphorus to make fluorescent lighting more energy-efficient.

The Economist

This uses specially bright light-emitting diodes in the markers, though they emit flashes of infra-red light which is invisible to the naked eye.

The Economist

Last month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) calculated how much carbon dioxide the world could emit in future without going over 2C of warming – and showed that, at current rates, this "budget" would be exhausted within 30 years.

The Guardian

They're cleaner because they don't emit greenhouse gases or soot: the heat and water they generate as a byproduct can be used for cooling and heating the tower.

The Guardian

These relate to four key factors: Evolving climate science No one knows precisely how much warming will be caused by any given build up of CO2 in the air, nor how much of the carbon we emit will stay in the atmosphere, as opposed to getting soaked up by oceans and plants.

The Guardian

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report has outlined the world's carbon budget - that is, how much CO2 humans can emit from burning coal, oil and the like before global warming passes 2C.

The Guardian

First, different fossil fuels emit different levels of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

The Guardian

As humans emit more greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the Earth continues to warm.

The Guardian

It currently removes 550bn tons a year, about 18 times more than we emit, but 99.9% of the carbon captured this way goes back to the air as CO2 when things are eaten.

The Guardian

As I discussed on Planet Oz a few days ago, just two recently approved coal mines in Queensland will emit 3.7 billion tonnes of CO2-e over their proposed 30-year life spans - the equivalent of six years worth of the United Kingdom's greenhouse gas footprint.

The Guardian

The report, which was submitted to the court and which I have seen, indicates the Alpha mine will emit an average of 61.9m tonnes of CO2-e every year for the 30-year life of the project.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental impact, use "emit" to specifically describe the release of substances like greenhouse gases or pollutants.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "emit", which means to send out, with "omit", which means to leave out or exclude. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "emit" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the act of sending out or giving off something, such as light, heat, sound, or pollutants. Ludwig examples show it is frequently used in the context of environmental emissions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "emit" is a commonly used verb that means to send out or give off something, such as light, heat, sound, or pollutants. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It is frequently encountered in news and media when discussing environmental issues or technological functions. While synonyms like "give off" and "release" exist, "emit" often implies a more continuous or gradual process. Be mindful not to confuse it with "omit", which has a completely different meaning. In summary, "emit" is a versatile and widely applicable verb for describing the act of something sending something else out.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give off

Focuses on the production and release of something, often a scent or light.

release

Implies a deliberate or controlled discharge of something.

discharge

Suggests a forceful or substantial release.

exude

Implies a gradual and pervasive release, often of a quality or characteristic.

radiate

Specifically refers to the emission of energy, like heat or light.

send forth

A more formal way to say "send out" or "release".

expel

Suggests forcing something out.

vent

To allow something, especially gas or smoke, to escape from a confined space.

secrete

Specifically refers to the production and release of a substance by a gland or cell.

emanate

Implies that something originates from a particular source.

FAQs

How can I use "emit" in a sentence?

You can use "emit" to describe the action of something sending out light, heat, gas, or other substances. For example, "The sun "emits" light and heat".

What's a good synonym for "emit"?

A good synonym for "emit" is "give off", which also means to produce or release something, often a smell or light.

Is it correct to say 'the factory emits pollution'?

Yes, it is correct. "Emit" is often used to describe the release of pollutants or other substances into the environment. So, 'the factory "emits" pollution' is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

How does "emit" differ from "release"?

"Emit" often implies a continuous or gradual sending out of something, while "release" can imply a more sudden or deliberate action. For example, a volcano emits smoke, while a company might release a new product.