not easily imitated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not easily imitated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unique or distinctive, making it difficult for others to replicate. Example: "Her artistic style is so original that it is not easily imitated by other artists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Innocence like that is not easily imitated, as "Troll" unwittingly demonstrates time and again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The problem was that Slint did not create a simple, easily imitated beat like Bo Diddley, or an elemental song like the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K.," which anyone could learn to play.

The New Yorker

They work with various client organizations to offer their services and hence do not have any product of their own that could be easily imitated by competitors.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Tell-it-like-it-is Rev. Al Sharpton may be one of the most easily imitated personalities on TV, and if you haven't seen Kenan Thompson's spot-on impression of him on "Saturday Night Live," you're missing out.

Huffington Post

– they are easily imitated.

The Guardian - Books

Michael Craig-maytin may be the most easily imitated artist in Britain.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Retter easily imitates Churchill's stance and diction, which he observed during their wartime meetings.

The New York Times

Avanex's first day could easily imitate that performance.

Forbes

Not easily.

The New York Times

Yes but not easily.

Forbes

Not easily, mind you.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not easily imitated" to emphasize the unique qualities of something, suggesting that its particular attributes make it difficult for others to replicate.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "not easily imitated" can sometimes sound stilted in formal writing. Consider stronger, more direct synonyms like 'unique' or 'distinctive' for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not easily imitated" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of something, indicating it possesses unique characteristics that make replication difficult. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, confirming its correct usage in describing distinctive attributes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not easily imitated" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is difficult to replicate due to its unique qualities. As Ludwig AI suggests, this expression, while valid, is not particularly common. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, consider synonyms for a more direct impact. Overall, "not easily imitated" is a useful but relatively infrequent way to describe something distinctive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to replicate

Uses a different adjective and verb while retaining the core meaning of something being hard to reproduce.

hard to duplicate

Employs 'hard' instead of 'not easily' and 'duplicate' for 'imitate', indicating a high degree of difficulty in copying.

challenging to mimic

Replaces 'imitate' with 'mimic' and 'not easily' with 'challenging', suggesting a demanding level of effort required for replication.

not readily replicated

Substitutes 'easily' with 'readily' and 'imitated' with 'replicated', emphasizing that copying is not straightforward or convenient.

unlikely to be copied

Shifts the focus to the probability of imitation, suggesting a low chance of replication due to complexity or uniqueness.

distinctive and inimitable

Highlights the uniqueness and impossibility of imitation, implying a high degree of originality.

one-of-a-kind and hard to copy

Emphasizes the unique nature of something and the difficulty of reproducing it, combining originality and challenge.

possessing unique qualities difficult to replicate

Focuses on the unique attributes of something, making replication difficult due to these inherent characteristics.

a unique style that defies imitation

Highlights a distinctive style that actively resists imitation, suggesting an inherent barrier to copying.

uncommonly original and hard to reproduce

Stresses the originality and difficulty in reproducing something, indicating a high level of uniqueness and challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "not easily imitated" in a sentence?

Use "not easily imitated" to describe something distinctive or unique, making it difficult for others to replicate. For example, 'Her artistic style is so original that it is not easily imitated by other artists'.

What are some alternatives to "not easily imitated"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to replicate", "hard to duplicate", or "challenging to mimic" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not easily imitated" or "difficult to imitate"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "difficult to imitate" might sound more direct and less wordy in some contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "not easily imitated"?

Use "not easily imitated" when you want to subtly emphasize the effort required to replicate something, often implying a certain level of skill or originality that sets it apart. It is suitable when you want to indirectly convey that it requires specific knowledge and skills to be replicated.