Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
EMIGRATE / IMMIGRATE
These two verbs are closely related but basically opposites. To emigrate is to leave one country to take up residence in another. To immigrate is to come into a country where not a native with the intention of taking up residence there.
INCORRECT: It was my grandfather’s idea that the family should immigrate from Ireland to the United States.
CORRECT: It was my grandfather’s idea that the family should emigrate from Ireland to the United States.
INCORRECT: My husband and I have decided to emigrate to Australia where the cities have marvelous public transportation.
CORRECT: My husband and I have decided to immigrate to Australia where the cities have marvelous public transportation.
NOTE: The nouns related to these verbs are emigrant and immigrant.
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