imitating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imitating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of copying or mimicking someone or something, often in a creative or artistic context. Example: "The artist is known for imitating the styles of famous painters in her own unique way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We won't accept any images which depict children or appear to be imitating another individual, or which otherwise fall foul of our existing community standards governing taste and decency, violence or illegal acts, and incitement or intent to cause offence.

The Guardian

"We have always been following and imitating the west," said Najma Karam, one of the show's judges.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Buckley-Irvine also outlined previous disciplinary concerns about the club, including that members had "blacked up" and dressed as Guantánamo Bay prisoners before imitating Islamic prayers while Muslim students left Friday worship.

The Guardian

"Why are we imitating the worst mistakes of 60 or 70 years ago from around the world – only even bigger?" Another development of repetitive slabs, echoing Jabal Omar's toast-rack urbanism, is slated for the northern side of the Grand Mosque, at al-Shamiya, while a $10bn plan to provide an extra 400,000 sq metres of prayer halls there is almost complete.

The Guardian - Arts

Although there was no evidence Barot had any foreknowledge of 9/11 one ominous clip, played in court, featured the World Trade Centre with someone imitating the noise of an explosion in the background.

The Guardian

With her blonde hair styled in ringlets in imitation of the silent film star Mary Pickford, she was signed by Educational Pictures to appear in a series of one-reelers called Baby Burlesks, imitating films by Marlene Dietrich and other stars.

The Guardian - Film

However, for Margrethe Vestager, said to be the model for the prime minister in hit TV drama Borgen, it might be a case of life imitating art.

The Guardian

"If we are imitating, why can't we imitate the best?" asks Angawi, in a tone of desperation.

The Guardian - Arts

It is imitating the tactics that established the Liberal Democrats as a strong parliamentary force in the 1990s.

The Guardian

To them, a son as well as two small girls, female singers stripping off and imitating sex acts while singing is the norm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Young people in developing countries are imitating the lifestyles of young people in developed countries.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imitating", consider the level of intent and skill involved in the act of copying. Is it a deliberate attempt to replicate, or a more general resemblance?

Common error

While "imitating" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Opt for stronger synonyms like "emulating" or "mirroring" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "imitating" is a verb, specifically the present participle form of the verb "imitate". It functions as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund, describing an ongoing action of copying or mimicking. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "imitating", as Ludwig AI confirms, is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb form signifying the act of copying or mimicking. With a neutral register, its usage spans across contexts like news reporting, business communication, and scientific discourse. While "imitating" is a versatile term, writers should consider synonyms like "mimicking" or "emulating" for enhanced precision or formality. Frequent across diverse sources, "imitating" effectively conveys replication or mirroring of actions and is deemed correct and highly usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mimicking

Focuses more on copying mannerisms or sounds, often for humorous effect.

copying

Implies creating a duplicate or replica of something, often directly.

simulating

Suggests creating a model or representation of something, often for testing or analysis.

emulating

Emphasizes striving to equal or surpass someone or something admired.

mirroring

Highlights a direct reflection or correspondence between two things.

reproducing

Focuses on creating an exact copy or representation.

aping

Suggests a crude or unskilled imitation.

following

Implies adhering to a pattern or example set by someone else.

patterning after

Suggests using something as a template or model.

modeling

Involves creating a representation of something, often on a smaller scale.

FAQs

How to use "imitating" in a sentence?

You can use "imitating" to describe someone or something copying the behavior, style, or actions of another. For example, "The student was penalized for "imitating another student's work"".

What can I say instead of "imitating"?

You can use alternatives like "mimicking", "copying", or "emulating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "imitating" or "simulating"?

"Imitating" means to copy or mimic, while "simulating" means to create a model or representation of something. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "imitating" and "emulating"?

"Imitating" generally refers to copying actions or styles, while "emulating" implies a desire to equal or surpass the qualities of what is being copied. Emulating carries a sense of admiration or respect.