akin to

USAGE SUMMARY

"akin to" is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate comparison and similarity between two different things. For example: The novel's tone felt akin to a fairytale.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With eagerness akin to love,.

The New Yorker

More akin to a W.T.O.

The New York Times

But I felt more akin to Estraven.

The New Yorker

It was akin to that ordeal".

The New Yorker

Or, per-haps, something akin to closure?

The New York Times

The effect was somewhat akin to lace.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I felt very akin to him".

The New Yorker

"They are akin to a political appendix.

The New York Times

"It's akin to hoarding".

The New York Times

Something akin to schadenfreude".

The Guardian - Arts

Something more akin to chaos.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "akin to" to draw parallels between seemingly unrelated concepts, adding depth and insight to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "akin to" when a simpler word like "similar" or "like" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "akin to" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating similarity or resemblance between two things. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively draws parallels and establishes connections between different concepts or entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "akin to" is a versatile comparative phrase used to denote similarity between two distinct subjects. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression across various writing styles, as observed in the numerous examples from diverse sources. While phrases like "similar to" or "like" can often substitute "akin to", it brings a slightly more formal tone to the text. The phrase is especially prevalent in News & Media, Scientific, and Encyclopedia contexts, which highlights its broad applicability. When employing "akin to", ensure that the comparison is meaningful and adds depth to the writing, while avoiding overuse in place of simpler synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

similar to

Indicates a general resemblance but doesn't necessarily imply a close connection.

comparable to

Highlights aspects of similarity that make two things suitable for comparison.

analogous to

Suggests a parallel or correspondence between two things, often implying a deeper systematic resemblance.

reminiscent of

Implies that something evokes memories or feelings associated with something else.

like

A more informal way of indicating similarity.

in the same way as

Highlights the similarity in manner or method.

along the lines of

Indicates a similarity in general direction or approach.

of a piece with

Signifies a consistency or harmony between two things.

on a par with

Implies equality in status or quality.

bearing a resemblance to

A more formal way of stating that something looks or seems similar to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "akin to" in a sentence?

Use "akin to" to compare something to another thing that shares similar qualities or characteristics. For example, "Her singing style is "similar to" Adele's."

What phrases are "similar to" "akin to"?

Alternatives include "similar to", "comparable to", "analogous to", or simply "like". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "akin to" formal or informal?

"Akin to" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "like" or "similar to". Choose your phrasing to match the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "akin to" and "identical to"?

"Akin to" suggests similarity, while "identical to" implies that two things are exactly the same. The phrases are not interchangeable.