Distinguishing Emigrate and Immigrate: Definitions, Usage, and Memory Aids

Distinguishing Emigrate and Immigrate: Definitions, Usage, and Memory Aids

Understanding the Difference: Emigrate vs. Immigrate

In English, the words emigrate and immigrate sound similar but have different meanings. Let’s learn what each word means, their history, how to use them, and some tricks to remember the difference.

Word History

The word emigrate comes from Latin emigrāre, which means “to move out.” The word immigrate comes from Latin immigrāre, meaning “to move into.” Both words have been used in English for a long time.

How to Use Them

• Emigrate means to leave your own country to live in another one. You focus on the leaving part.
• Immigrate means to come to a new country to live. You focus on the arriving part.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think about the first letters:

• E in Emigrate is for Exit. You are exiting your country.
• I in Immigrate is for In. You are coming into a new country.

Examples for “Emigrate”

1. My grandparents decided to emigrate from Italy years ago.
2. Many people emigrate from their countries to find better jobs.
3. Rachel plans to emigrate from Canada next year.
4. He chose to emigrate because of the warmer weather.
5. The family will emigrate to another continent for a new life.

Examples for “Immigrate”

1. She will immigrate to the United States in the summer.
2. People often immigrate for a better education.
3. They want to immigrate to Australia and have started the paperwork.
4. The couple decided to immigrate after visiting the country last year.
5. Many students immigrate for university studies.

Summary

In short, to emigrate is to leave a country, and to immigrate is to come into a country. Remember, “E” for Exit when emigrate, and “I” for In when immigrate.