simulate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "simulate" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a verb and can be used to mean to create an artificial or false environment or situation to imitate a real one, often in order to train or test people. For example, you could say, "The police use simulator exercises to prepare officers for real-life crisis situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

High levels of simulated dopamine, on the other hand, causes difficulty in suppressing unwanted actions, or the simultaneous selection of two incompatible actions similar to patients with Huntington's chorea, Tourette's syndrome or schizophrenia .In the future, robots with simulated brain circuits might also help us to identify and simulate new forms of treatment for damaged brains.

The Economist

They won't have the skill even to simulate hunting".

The Guardian

There's been a lot of personnel turnover at the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad recently, but even if Herzog wasn't keen to sign up for a full-time gig alongside Dennis Waterman, Denis Lawson and Nicholas Lyndhurst, the writers could still try and simulate some of that Nordic noir magic by sending the hangdog plod squad to Europe.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

How anybody could be depressed in a country that, over 8,000km from top to bottom, has a climate that can simulate all four seasons all year round is a question for the psychologists.

The Guardian - Travel

Water is then poured continuously over the cloth to prevent breathing, simulate drowning and induce panic.

The Guardian

Inside the stuffy assembly rooms or outside among fluttering flags and cutouts of José Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, presidents of the European commission and council respectively, they quiz ministers, simulate climate catastrophe and learn international sign language.

The Guardian

When I have to train hard I try to simulate race conditions, and in a race you can't listen to music.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The recovery was "boring at first," a daily grind of swimming, gymnasium work and hours upon hours inside a zero-gravity treadmill designed by Nasa to simulate what it would be like on the moon, and introduced to Carrington to allow injured players to build up their leg muscles.

The Guardian - Sport

A few months ago this page featured Paris Stories, an online project that tried to simulate the experience of attending a Paris Saint-Germain match at the Parc des Princes.

The Guardian - Sport

At the back of the acting edition of the script is a list of equipment required to simulate a banshee express.

The Guardian

With an accompanying CD-ROM students can simulate the models he describes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific experiments or computer models, use "simulate" to emphasize the process of creating a virtual representation of a real-world phenomenon for analysis and prediction.

Common error

Avoid using "stimulate" when you mean "simulate". "Stimulate" means to encourage activity or growth, while "simulate" means to create a model or imitation. For example, say "We will use a computer model to simulate the effects of climate change", not "stimulate".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "simulate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being imitated or modeled. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts, from simulating brain circuits to simulating climate catastrophe.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "simulate" is a versatile term, frequently used to describe the creation of models or representations of real-world processes. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted, particularly in contexts like news, science, and business. Its function is to accurately replicate conditions for analysis and testing. While alternatives such as "replicate" or "emulate" exist, "simulate" distinctly emphasizes the creation of a model. Remember to differentiate it from "stimulate", which means to encourage activity, not to create a representation. By considering its purpose and appropriate register, you can effectively use "simulate" in your writing to convey precise and informative descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replicate

Focuses on creating an exact copy or reproduction of something, emphasizing accuracy.

emulate

Implies imitating something, often with the intent to match or surpass it.

model

Refers to creating a simplified representation to understand or analyze a system.

imitate

Stresses the act of copying behavior or actions, often superficially.

mimic

Suggests a close and often exact copying, sometimes for humorous effect.

reproduce

Highlights the act of creating something again, often in the same form.

feign

Emphasizes a deceptive appearance or action to create a false impression.

pretend

Indicates an act of make-believe or creating an imagined scenario.

assume

Involves taking on a role or characteristic, often temporarily.

sham

Suggests a deceptive imitation or a fake version of something.

FAQs

How can I use "simulate" in a sentence?

You can use "simulate" to describe creating a model or imitation of a real-world process. For instance, "Engineers use computer programs to simulate the behavior of bridges under stress".

What are some alternatives to the word "simulate"?

Alternatives to "simulate" include "replicate", "emulate", or "model", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "simulate" and "stimulate"?

"Simulate" means to create a representation or model, while "stimulate" means to encourage activity. For example, you might "simulate" a market crash to test a financial model, but you would "stimulate" the economy with tax cuts.

Is it appropriate to use "simulate" in formal writing?

Yes, "simulate" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in scientific, technical, and business contexts. It accurately describes the creation of models or representations for analysis and prediction.