emit

emit

CEFR: C1-C2 /emit/ [ih0.m.ih1.t]

To emit means to send out light or gas from somewhere and is often used to refer to the gases and smog coming out of power plants or cars. Here is an example:

Example Sentences:
The burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxides into the atmosphere.

We could paraphrase this sentence using the verbs ‘release’ or ‘give off’. Let’s look at the example.

Example Sentences:
The burning of fossil fuels releases/gives off carbon dioxides into the atmosphere.

Okay! The noun emission, can either mean the process of emitting sth or it can be used to refer to the gas or light which is emitted itself.

When used in singular the noun refers to the process, as in the following sentence:

Example Sentences:
Humans should try to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.

On the other hand, the plural noun "emissions" is used when we talk about fumes and gases from cars and other sources or when we talk about radio waves and light.

Example Sentences:
Vehicle emissions = gases emitted from vehicles
Fossil fuel emissions = gases emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels
Radio emissions from the sun = radio waves emitted from the sun

Okay! Taking the knowledge I just taught you, we can change the sentence “The burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxides into the atmosphere.” as follows:

Example Sentences:
The burning of fossil fuels is a source of carbon dioxide emissions.
Carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the burning of fossil fuels.