a like of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a like of" is not correct and not commonly used in written English.
It is unclear in meaning and may confuse readers, as it does not follow standard English usage. Example: "I have a like of various genres of music."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, Miley Cyrus is a like of girls between the ages of 5-8, usually.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Within the film's context, it's a look-a-like of the protagonist.

Huffington Post

GB2-R7 was the least MSV-A-like of these recombinants (72.3% of the polymorphic sites were derived from MSV-MatA) and accordingly produced less severe symptoms than did the more MSV-MatA-like recombinants GB2-R4, GB2-R11, and GB2-R2 (which respectively obtained 93.8%, 94.6%, and 94.6% of their polymorphic sites from MSV-MatA).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Kind of like a can of sardines!

WikiHow

"Yes, Woolfson, like son of a wolf.

BBC

Like kind of a mythological fairytale".

Wikipedia

It seems like something of an overreaction.

Independent

Kind of like a bromance.

The New York Times

It looks like a lot of fun.

The New Yorker

"It looks like a celebration of democracy".

The New York Times

It seems like a matter of days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a like of". Instead, use "a liking for" or "a preference for" to correctly express having a fondness or inclination towards something. For example, use "I have a liking for jazz music" instead of "I have a like of jazz music".

Common error

Do not confuse "a like of" with similar-sounding, correct phrases such as "a lot of" or "a kind of". "A lot of" indicates quantity, and "a kind of" indicates categorization. "A like of" is not a recognized idiomatic expression in English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a like of" is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. Ludwig indicates its usage is not recommended. A more appropriate construction would involve using "a liking for" or rephrasing to avoid the issue altogether.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a like of" is considered grammatically incorrect and is rarely used in standard English. As indicated by Ludwig, it's best to avoid this phrase in favor of more appropriate alternatives such as "a liking for" or "a preference for". While the intention might be to express preference or similarity, the incorrect phrasing makes the communication ineffective. Therefore, always opt for grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives in any form of writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preference for

Directly expresses a choice or favor towards something, replacing the awkward "a like of" with a clear statement of preference.

a liking for

Replaces the ungrammatical "a like of" with the proper noun phrase to indicate preference.

enjoyment of

Focuses on the pleasure derived from something, providing a direct and easily understandable alternative.

fondness for

Indicates affection or enjoyment, offering a more precise and grammatically sound alternative to express positive feelings.

partiality to

Implies a bias or favoritism, offering a more specific way to describe preference.

affinity for

Suggests a natural connection or attraction, offering a nuanced way to express preference or similarity.

similarity to

Highlights the comparable aspects between items, focusing on likeness rather than personal preference.

taste for

Suggests a developed appreciation or preference, adding a layer of sophistication to the expression of liking.

resemblance to

Emphasizes the similarity between two entities, shifting the focus from preference to likeness.

inclination towards

Indicates a tendency or leaning, providing a more formal alternative to express a preference.

FAQs

How can I correctly express having a preference instead of using "a like of"?

Instead of "a like of", use phrases such as "a liking for", "a preference for", or "an affinity for" to express your preferences accurately.

Is "a like of" grammatically correct in English?

No, "a like of" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use established phrases such as "a liking for" or rephrase your sentence for clarity.

What's the difference between "a like of" and "a lot of"?

"A lot of" indicates a large quantity, while "a like of" is not a standard English phrase and should be avoided. For example, "a lot of books" means many books, but "a like of books" is incorrect.

Can I use "a like of" to mean something is similar to something else?

No, "a like of" does not convey similarity. Instead, use phrases like "resembles", "is similar to", or "is akin to" to indicate that two things share common characteristics.