appear like that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear like that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are trying to compare two things or suggest a similarity. For example, "The new restaurant looks a lot like the old one; it even appears like that from the outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"These things might appear like that.

The New York Times - Books

Yet during this interregnum - the 1990s - it didn't appear like that.

The Guardian - Books

They appear like that and through inquiry we can make friends with them.

Huffington Post

It takes a lot of energy for a ghost to appear like that.

WikiHow

They appear like that of a large woodpecker (Skutch 1944).

Cornell University

But it didn't appear like that in the beginning".

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It's appeared like that for the past century, while the world has been transformed in every facet imaginable.

The New York Times

It is now Mexico that, to some observers, appears like that previous Colombia - with ruthless narcos beheading adversaries and innocent civilians often killed in the crossfire.

The Washington Post

With the exception of Britain, the government of which increasingly appears like that of a 51st state of our Union, no other nations have joined with the United States in articulating a shared view of the Iraqi regime.

The New York Times - Books

"John Goodman Monologue Goodman, Thompsonon) In retrospect, this is almost a shame – because Goodman looked like he was having so much fun singing his "booty" song that it at least appeared like that energy might be maintained throughout the show.

Huffington Post

Being actually knowledgeable about a subject keeps you from appearing like that know-it-all buffoon who talks too much at parties and doesn't really know much about anything.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear like that" when you want to convey a general sense of similarity or resemblance, rather than a precise or exact match.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "appear like that" can sometimes sound informal. In highly formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "resemble that" or "bear a similarity to that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear like that" functions as a comparative descriptor. It is used to express that something has a similar appearance or characteristic to something previously mentioned or understood in the context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appear like that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate similarity or resemblance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it tends to be more common in news and media and less frequent in formal or scientific contexts. When aiming for precision in formal writing, consider stronger synonyms such as "resemble that" or "bear a similarity to that". Overall, "appear like that" serves as a useful tool for drawing comparisons and suggesting similarities between different things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem like that

Focuses on the impression something gives, shifting from objective appearance to subjective perception.

look like that

Emphasizes visual similarity, whereas "appear like that" can include non-visual aspects.

give the impression of that

Adds a layer of subjectivity; it's about the impression created, not necessarily the reality.

present that way

Highlights how something is presented, changing the focus from inherent qualities to outward presentation.

come across as that

Focuses on the perceived image or understanding, shifting the perspective from appearance to reception.

strike one as that

Highlights the immediate and often subjective impression, introducing a personal perspective.

be perceived as that

Shifts the emphasis to how something is understood by others, adding a layer of interpretation.

profess to be that

Emphasizes a claimed or asserted identity, suggesting a possible discrepancy between claim and reality.

suggest that

Indicates an indirect indication, slightly weakening the assertiveness compared to "appear like that".

imply that

Emphasizes a hinted or suggested meaning, altering the focus from direct appearance to indirect implication.

FAQs

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

You can use "appear like that" to describe something that seems similar to something else. For example, "The clouds today "look like that" you see in landscape paintings".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "appear like that"?

Alternatives to "appear like that" include phrases such as "seem like that", ""look like that"", or "give the impression of that", each conveying a slightly different nuance of resemblance.

Is it correct to say "appears like that" instead of "appear like that"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "appears like that" for singular subjects (e.g., "It appears like that"), and "appear like that" for plural subjects (e.g., "They appear like that").

In what contexts is it best to use "appear like that"?

"Appear like that" is suitable for various contexts where you want to describe something's general resemblance or similarity. While acceptable, consider more formal options in academic writing.