anything like that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anything like that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something similar or related to what has just been mentioned. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, feel free to ask me or anything like that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This isn't anything like that.

The New Yorker

But anything like that is special.

The New York Times

Philip Marlowe never ate anything like that.

The New Yorker

I didn't own anything like that.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'd never seen anything like that.

The New York Times

I had never heard anything like that.

The New York Times - Sports

I had never seen anything like that.

The New York Times

I would never label anything like that.

Independent

I never saw anything like that.

The New York Times

But nobody saw anything like that.

Independent

I can't do anything like that now".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anything like that" to refer back to a previously mentioned idea or situation, creating a connection between different parts of your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "anything like that" without providing sufficient context. Be specific when possible to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "anything like that" functions as a referential pro-form, pointing back to a previously mentioned idea, situation, or object. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates similarity or relation to something already established in the conversation or text. The examples illustrate its role in comparisons and negations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "anything like that" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to something previously mentioned or implied. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to create a connection to a prior context, enabling writers and speakers to avoid repetition. It appears across various registers, but is most frequent in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by providing sufficient context. If a more specific term is needed, consider alternatives like "something similar" or "that sort of thing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something similar to that

Directly points out the similarity, making it explicit.

anything of the kind

Similar in meaning but slightly more emphatic, suggesting a stronger negation or condition.

something along those lines

Indicates a general similarity or direction without being precise.

something to that effect

Focuses on the result or consequence being similar, rather than the thing itself.

something to that effect

Focuses on the result or consequence being similar, rather than the thing itself.

something of that nature

More formal and emphasizes the inherent qualities or characteristics.

anything to that extent

Emphasizes the degree or magnitude of the similarity.

something like it

Implies a resemblance without specifying the exact nature.

that sort of thing

More casual and used to indicate a category or group of related things.

stuff like that

More informal, encompassing a range of related items or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "anything like that" in a sentence?

Use "anything like that" to refer to a previously mentioned concept or situation, such as in: "I don't want to experience "anything like that" again."

What are some alternatives to using "anything like that"?

Depending on the context, you could use "something similar", "something of that nature", or "that sort of thing" instead of "anything like that".

Is it ever incorrect to use "anything like that"?

While grammatically correct, "anything like that" can be too vague. Ensure your reader understands what "that" refers to. If clarity is lacking, use a more precise term.

What's the difference between "anything like that" and "something like that"?

"Anything like that" is more general and can refer to a broader range of possibilities, while "something like that" implies a specific similarity that can be pointed out.