WORD TRIPPER
by Barbara McNichol
Which is the better form of flattery, imitation or emulation? Can you emulate and imitate the same person? Read Word Tripper to answer these questions for yourself!
Emulate, imitate – “Emulate” means to try to equal or excel; to compete with the goal of equaling or surpassing; to rival with some degree of success. “Imitate” is trying to follow as a model or example; also to mimic, impersonate.
“I want to more than imitate my older brother; I’m
determined to emulate his musical talent and win more awards than he did.”
“If you wish to emulate your mentor’s financial success,
you must do more than imitate his style of dress.” – Bill
Sadler
Send me a description of someone you want to both imitate
and emulate—and say why.
One-Word/Two-Word BONUS: Here are clarifications for three
more. (Access our ever-expanding list!)
Already, all ready – “Already” is an adverb meaning
previously or by this time, and it refers to an action.
“It’s already too late to go.” “All ready” is an adjective
phrase meaning completely prepared. “She’s all ready to go.”
Altogether, all together – The adverb “altogether” means
entirely, completely, utt erly. “That commute was altogether too long and boring.” The adjective phrase “all together” refers to a combination or group. “Those new factors taken all together reveal a different conclusion.”
Anyway, any way – The one-word version means “in any case”
while the two-word version refers to possibilities. “I know
there isn’t any way for you to see me today; I’ll deliver
the proposal anyway.” Note: never use “anyways.”
Which one-word versus two-word phrases trip you up?
Praise for Word Trippers
“Eager vs. anxious: That’s one of my favorites. I corrected
someone in my writer’s group who said ‘anxious’ when she
meant ‘eager.’ Now everyone in the group overemphasizes the
word ‘eager’ when they say it.”
- Teresa R. Funke
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NOW, refer to 360+ Word Trippers all in one
place. This print book and Kindle e-book helps
you use these pesky word pairings correctly. Full
details at http://www.wordtrippers.com.
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