emulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'emulate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a desire to imitate or do something in the manner of someone else. For example, "Sara tried to emulate her mother's successful career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This weekend we will get an idea of how many other clubs have been inspired to emulate them.

The Guardian - Sport

And he intends to be a key element in pre-season title favourites Warwickshire's bid to emulate their 2012 success after snubbing a call up from New Zealand.

The Guardian - Sport

Germany's dealing with its two difficult pasts – the East German state socialist dictatorship and, much more importantly, Nazism and the Holocaust – has almost universally been considered a success, even a model for others to emulate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asos, which targets young women looking to emulate the designer looks of celebrities such as Alexa Chung, Tulisa Contostavlos and Kate Moss, reported growth of 31% in the fourth quarter thanks in part to strong trading in overseas markets such as the United States and Australia.

The Guardian - Business

Nationally David Cameron and the government have declared they are "going all out" for fracking, hoping to emulate the shale gas revolution in the US.

The Guardian

She is hoping to emulate the success of Dr Richard Taylor, who fought and won Wyre Forest as an Independent in 2001 with a strong campaign based around restoring the Accident & Emergency department of Kidderminster Hospital.

The Guardian

Judging by his memoirs, Farage Jr worshipped his own father, a hell-raising City metal trader called Guy Farage, whose wine, women and cars career he sought to emulate before being diverted into politics by the EU's 1991 Maastricht treaty after a good lunch.

The Guardian

Nixon would try to stretch her neck the same way as Kerr and alter the shape of her mouth to emulate that of the actress.

The Guardian - Film

As more people choose to emulate the US, the faster we lose our sense of fair play and social grace - let's not do that.

The Guardian

This is not by accident and for those who could endure the style, or even enjoy it, there were powerful hooks and melodies to latch on to and emulate awkwardly while waiting for the bus (try singing the tune to Send It Up without looking like a weasel drinking vinegar).

The Guardian - Music

The new question was "What's happening?" That paved the way for the modern era of social networks – but it's something that Twitter's new app, Periscope, might find hard to emulate.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "emulate", ensure that the subject's intention is to closely resemble or mirror the qualities of the entity being emulated. Avoid using "emulate" when the intent is simply to copy without understanding or adopting the underlying principles.

Common error

A common mistake is using "emulate" when a simpler term like "copy" or "imitate" would suffice. "Emulate" implies a deeper, more comprehensive attempt to mirror the qualities and characteristics of something, not just a superficial likeness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "emulate" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of trying to equal or surpass someone or something, typically through imitation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts. For example, "She is hoping to emulate the success of Dr Richard Taylor."

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, the verb "emulate" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys the act of trying to equal or surpass something or someone, often through imitation and with a sense of admiration. Its usage is prevalent in diverse contexts, primarily within news and media sources. While "emulate" shares semantic similarities with terms like "imitate", "mirror", and "mimic", it carries a nuance of deeper, more comprehensive mirroring. Therefore, when aiming to express a conscious effort to follow a particular model and achieve comparable results, "emulate" stands as a precise and fitting choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imitate

Focuses on copying actions or behaviors, often without necessarily understanding or adopting the underlying principles.

mirror

Implies a direct reflection or close duplication of characteristics or behaviors.

mimic

Suggests a close imitation, often for humorous or satirical effect.

copy

Emphasizes the act of replication, often in a straightforward or literal manner.

follow

Implies adhering to a model or example, typically in a sequence or progression.

reproduce

Highlights the creation of something that closely resembles an original, often in a technical or artistic context.

simulate

Indicates the creation of a model or system that behaves like the original, often for testing or analysis purposes.

pattern after

Suggests using someone or something as a model for one's own actions or creations.

take after

Refers to resembling someone, especially a relative, in appearance or character.

model oneself on

Suggests consciously adopting the characteristics or behaviors of a particular role model.

FAQs

How can I use "emulate" in a sentence?

You can use "emulate" to describe an attempt to equal or imitate someone or something, often with admiration. For example, "Many young athletes try to "emulate" their favorite sports stars".

What's the difference between "emulate" and "imitate"?

"Emulate" suggests a deeper, more comprehensive attempt to mirror someone or something, often with the goal of achieving similar results or qualities. "Imitate", on the other hand, can simply mean to copy or mimic, often without the same level of dedication or understanding.

Which is correct, "emulate" or "simulate"?

"Emulate" and "simulate" have different meanings. "Emulate" means to try to equal or imitate, while "simulate" means to create a model or representation of something. For instance, a computer program can "emulate" another system, or "simulate" a real-world environment.

What can I say instead of "emulate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "imitate", "mirror", or "mimic". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.