Confused Words: Emigrate vs. Immigrate

Confused Words - Emigrate - Immigrate

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:

  1. My grandparents decided to emigrate from Italy after the war. (They left Italy)
  2. She plans to emigrate to Australia next year. (She plans to leave her home country for Australia)
  3. Many scientists emigrated from Germany during the 1930s. (Many scientists left Germany)
  4. He emigrated from his homeland due to political unrest. (He left his homeland)
  5. They chose to emigrate in search of better opportunities. (They chose to leave their home country)
  6. She decided to emigrate after securing a job in Canada. (She decided to leave her home country for Canada)
  7. My family emigrated from India in the 1980s. (My family left India)
  8. 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:

  1. My grandparents decided to immigrate to the United States after the war. (They moved to the United States)
  2. She plans to immigrate to Canada next year. (She plans to move to Canada)
  3. Many people immigrate in search of better job opportunities. (Many people move to a new country for jobs)
  4. He immigrated to New Zealand in 2000. (He moved to New Zealand)
  5. They chose to immigrate to the United Kingdom for their children’s education. (They chose to move to the United Kingdom)
  6. She decided to immigrate after securing a job abroad. (She decided to move to a foreign country)
  7. My family immigrated to the United States in the 1980s. (My family moved to the United States)
  8. 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!

scroll to top