Hello, English learners! As an English teacher with ten years of experience, today, we’re going to unravel the mystery behind two often-misunderstood words: “Emigrate” and “Immigrate“. Even though they sound quite similar, their meanings are distinct. Let’s get started!
Emigrate /ˈɛmɪɡreɪt/
To emigrate is to leave one’s own country in order to settle permanently in another. It focuses on the country being left behind. Here are eight examples to help you understand:
- My grandparents decided to emigrate from Italy after the war. (They left Italy)
- She plans to emigrate to Australia next year. (She plans to leave her home country for Australia)
- Many scientists emigrated from Germany during the 1930s. (Many scientists left Germany)
- He emigrated from his homeland due to political unrest. (He left his homeland)
- They chose to emigrate in search of better opportunities. (They chose to leave their home country)
- She decided to emigrate after securing a job in Canada. (She decided to leave her home country for Canada)
- My family emigrated from India in the 1980s. (My family left India)
- Many people emigrate to improve their quality of life. (Many people leave their home country)
Immigrate /ˈɪmɪɡreɪt/
To immigrate is to come to live permanently in a foreign country. It focuses on the new country being entered. Here are eight examples to illustrate this:
- My grandparents decided to immigrate to the United States after the war. (They moved to the United States)
- She plans to immigrate to Canada next year. (She plans to move to Canada)
- Many people immigrate in search of better job opportunities. (Many people move to a new country for jobs)
- He immigrated to New Zealand in 2000. (He moved to New Zealand)
- They chose to immigrate to the United Kingdom for their children’s education. (They chose to move to the United Kingdom)
- She decided to immigrate after securing a job abroad. (She decided to move to a foreign country)
- My family immigrated to the United States in the 1980s. (My family moved to the United States)
- Many people immigrate for a better quality of life. (Many people move to a new country)
Conclusion
In conclusion, to emigrate is to leave your home country, while to immigrate is to move to a new country. When you keep the perspective of departure and arrival in mind, it becomes easier to use these words correctly. Happy learning!